=======================================================================

VANDAL HEARTS SCRIPT
transcribed by Kamau
[email protected]

Please ask my permission before putting any part of this script on your
site by e-mailing me at [email protected]

Vandal Hearts (TM) is an original game developed by KONAMI COMPUTER
ENTERTAINMENT TOKYO KONAMI CO., LTD. reserves all copyrights,
trademarks, and other industrial property rights with respect to this
game.

======= CONTENTS ======================================================

       Act I: A Premonition of War
       Act II: Island of Madness
       Act III: Escape to Tomorrow
       Act IV: The Successor
       Act V: The Legacy
       Act VI: A Fool's Epitaph
       Extras: villagers, dojo, death quotes, errors

=======================================================================

=======================================================================

Sostegaria...

For over a millennium the fertile lands in the heart of this vast
continent were ruled by the Holy Ashah Dynasty, descendants of Toroah
the Messiah.

However, it is man's doom to forget... Amidst all the wealth and exotic
pleasures, the nobility lost their way and sank into corruption and
depravity, forgetting even the holy teaching of Toroah.

It was in these days of unrest that the citizens, struggling under an
oppressive regime, rose up and - under the leadership of Arris the Sage
- took up arms against the Kingdom. That was the first outbreak of
violence in what would later be known simply as "The Revolution". The
Royal Army's counterattack was swift and fierce, but time and time
again they were put to flight by the cunning strategies of Arris and
the indomitable will of the advancing Liberation Army.

Victory in hand, the rebels set up a Council and worked to establish
the continent's first democracy. And so, the republic of "Ishtaria"
was born.

However, Arris the Sage, whom all hoped would lead the country,
mysteriously vanished and has not been seen again to this day.

Now, 15 years later, the shadow of war once again threatens Ishtaria...

=======================================================================

       1254 at
       Gillbaris Island
       "Castle Ruins"

(We see three soldiers enter a large temple of some sort. One of them
is unmasked. They examine the temple.)

Soldier:
       What is this place?

(A fourth soldier enters. He is also unmasked and wears a long, red
cloak. He looks very important. He speaks...)

Magnus:
       Ah... A hidden room.

(Magnus, the cloaked soldier, walks forward.)

Magnus:
       Hmm?... What's that?

(The camera swivels round and we see a raised platform with an ornament
of some sort on it. There is a red orb in the ornament. Magnus steps
up to it and the other soldiers follow him.)

Magnus:
       Oh... That sparkle...
       This must be it!...

(Magnus reaches out and touches the orb and rays of energy blast out of
it suddenly.)

Magnus:
       Th... These rays...
       What's happening?

(The orb glows white and the soldiers are blinded by the bright light.)

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

ACT I: A PREMONITION OF WAR

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

(Complete blackness. We can hear the sound of running water, and birds
are singing.)

       ...Ash...
       ...Ash!!...

(The blackness fades into a grassy area with hills and trees. Three men
in long brown robes are standing side-by-side with some sort of cargo.)

Merchant:
       Ash!...

Man called Ash:
       Huh... Oh sorry...
       I was just thinking...

Merchant:
       Well you better get up.
       We've got some trouble.

Other merchant:
       We're surrounded!

(The camera zooms out to show a large gang of thieves emerging from the
hills and trees. It zooms back in on an archer.)

Thief:
       He he... You're trapped.
       Don't you know that this
       valley belongs to the
       "Fangs of Umbaba"?

Other thief:
       They're just some dumb
       wandering peddlers...
       Ignorance is the root of
       misfortune, as they say.

Thief:
       If ya wanna live, hand
       over everything ya got!
       Although, we'll probably
       kill you anyway!
       ...Right boss?

(The camera pans across to a large man with a big sword.)

Zoot:
       Wa ha ha ha...
       Ya got that right!

(The camera pans back to the three merchants.)

Man called Ash:
       ....................

Thief:
       Hee hee hee
       Too scared to talk baby?

(The archer runs up to Ash, but the merchant pulls a sword from his
robes and slices at the thief, killing him instantly.)

Zoot:
       What the...!

Merchant:
       Ha! Where's that
       stupid laugh now?!

Other merchant:
       Now you're the ones
       who are trapped!

Zoot:
       Who the hell
       are you guys?

(Ash quickly removes his cloak to reveal a man in shining armor with a
sharp sword and a solid shield.)

Ash:
       Ash Lambert. 3rd Platoon,
       Ishtarian Security Forces.

(The first merchant removes his robes. He is a grinning soldier with a
red bandanna and a bow and arrow.)

Diego:
       Diego Renault.
       From the same.

(The third merchant removes his robes. He looks similar to Ash only
with a larger sword. His hair is tied back into a small ponytail and he
has short stubble on his face.)

Clint:
       Clint Picard. Likewise.

Zoot:
       Ash?!?...
       Ash of the Black Wind?!

Ash:
       Surrender quietly and
       we'll grant you quarter!

Zoot:
       Against only three?...
       Kill them now!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE AGAINST THIEVES **

VICTORY = Defeat of Zoot Gach
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* VICTORY *

Zoot:
       Argh... Don't kill me!
       I'm pleading with you!

(The screen fades to black and then back in again. Zoot has been tied
up by Ash, Diego and Clint.)

Diego:
       That should teach
       you guys a... huh?
       It's you! I knew I'd
       seen you before...
       Zoot Gach!

Ash:
       What?!
       The same Zoot Gach that
       we threw in jail just 2
       months ago?

Diego:
       Yup. Same bonehead grin.
       Don't ya recognize him?

Zoot:
       The pleasure's all mine.

Diego:
       Wait a minute...
       Only 2 months and he's
       already out?! He must
       have busted out!

Ash:
       True, but I don't think
       for a minute that this
       loser would be able
       to break himself out
       of prison.

Zoot:
       Staves and stones
       may crack yer bones...
       But it don't bother me
       cause my friends won't
       forget about me!

Diego:
       What does that mean?!
       Answer me!

Zoot:
       Oh nothing...
       I'm just mumbling.

Clint:
       Ah... I think I get it.

Ash:
       ....................

Clint:
       Bandits have shut off all
       trade in this valley.
       Whoever freed him is
       probably reaping huge
       blackmarket profits...
       A crooked politician or
       merchant pulled strings.
       So what else is new?

Diego:
       That burns me up!
       Should I put an arrow in
       him right now, Ash?

Zoot:
       No... Stop!...

Ash:
       Hold it Diego. Killing
       this flea is no answer...
       Our job is finished.
       Let's go back to
       Shumeria!

======= CAPITAL SHUMERIA ==============================================

Ash:
       First let's go to HQ
       and give our report.

(Ash and his companions MOVE to Security Force HQ. We see a room with a
desk. The three men are with another older man.)

Ash:
       ...And that concludes
       my report.

Clive:
       I see... Well done.
       Let's take a good look
       into the background of
       this... Zoot Gach.

Ash:
       I agree.

Diego:
       As always. The big guy
       gets away, the truth gets
       swept under the carpet,
       and only the small
       guy gets screwed!

Clint:
       Hey! You're outta line!

Clive:
       Hmm...
       You're right. There are
       lots of things wrong with
       this government...
       Corrupt politicians,
       oppressive taxes and
       not enough police.
       The rich are getting
       richer and the poor
       are getting poorer.
       But no matter how filthy
       things get, as long as we
       remember who we are...
       We, the people, have the
       freedom to change things
       for the better.
       And it's that freedom
       that so many people died
       for 15 years ago!

Ash:
       I understand...

Diego:
       I had no right to mouth
       off like that. I'm sorry.

Clive:
       No... It's all right.
       In any case, you all did
       a fine job. Why don't
       you relax a little.

(It fades back to the town square again.)

Diego:
       Now how about we head to
       the tavern for a drink?

======= CAPITAL SHUMERIA TAVERN =======================================

(Ash and the others go to the tavern and talk to the people there. If
you try to leave the bar, a man enters.)

Man:
       H.. Help... Somebody...
       ...Riot...

Ash:
       What?!

Clint:
       Calm down and tell us
       what happened.

Man:
       A riot has broken out
       in the Dover District!

Diego:
       Dover District... AKA the
       Royal Ghetto.
       But they hate bloodshed.
       They're always the first
       to negotiate.

Man:
       That's the terrible part!
       The army decided
       that the Royalists were
       behind the assassination
       of Smetana, and they
       came to take Count
       Claymore away.
       Things got tense. The
       young nobles gathered
       around the soldiers...
       Then there was some
       shoving and someone
       drew a sword...

Clint:
       What kind of fool...

Ash:
       Let's get over there
       right away.

======= DOVER DISTRICT ================================================

(The three soldiers stand in an old street in the rain. A man is ahead
with his back to them. He is wearing large crimson armor and has a very
large sword in its sheath.)

Ash:
       These are the
       advance troops?

(The camera pans across the city. Crimson-coloured knights are duelling
with rioters in light clothing.)

Crimon Soldier:
       Hayahhh!

Rioter:
       Waaaa!

(The soldiers kills the rioter.)

Crimson Soldier:
       Kiiiiyaaaaaaa!

Rioter:
       Unnnnnh!

(The soldier kills the rioter.)

Rioter:
       We... We surrender!

Crimson Soldier:
       Surrender to death!

Rioter:
       Aaaaaahhhhhh!

(The soldier kills the rioter.)

Diego:
       Barbarians!

Clint:
       Crimson Guard. Special
       anti-terrorist forces...
       An elite fighting force
       formed by the well known
       right winger, Hel Spites.
       They're famous for being
       ruthless with terrorists,
       but this is too much!

Kane: (the man in the crimson suit)
       Troops... Assemble!

(The camera swivels round to show the crimson soldiers forming a small
unit in front of Kane, and he turns to face Ash.)

Kane:
       Well if it isn't the
       Security Forces!
       What are you doing
       poking your little noses
       around here?

Ash:
       ..........

Kane:
       I know you...
       You're Ash Lambert.
       The son of a traitor
       becoming a platoon
       leader. What a joke!

Diego:
       What did you say!

Clint:
       You scum!

Ash:
       Stop it both of you!

Diego:
       But Ash...

Ash:
       Let him talk.

Kane:
       Always trying to sound
       like a saint, aren't you?
       As you can see, we've
       cleared the area of
       enemies.
       Some are still holed
       up in that church, but we
       have business elsewhere.
       As long as you're here,
       you can take care of
       those left in the church.
       Make sure you do
       a good job now!

(Kane leads the crimson soldiers away and they watch him leave.)

Diego:
       That lousy creep!

Clint:
       Yes, but what are we
       going to do, Ash?

Ash:
       Let's go and see if they
       will surrender.
       It looks like there are
       no enemies around, but
       don't relax your guard.

(The camera rotates and zooms out to show the town, when some War
Ghosts and Hunter Imps appear. It zooms back to show the soldiers.)

Diego:
       Where did these monsters
       come from?!

Ash:
       They've been summoned by
       a powerful mage!

Clint:
       We're gonna have to cut
       through them!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE IN THE DOVER DISTRICT **

VICTORY = Arrival at church
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* AFTER 1 ROUND *

Diego:
       This is a pretty filthy
       place for nobles to live!

Ash:
       After the war, their
       estates were confiscated
       and a special tax was
       levied on them. They
       can't even vote.

Clint:
       Just as the Ashah
       Dynasty did, we are
       oppressing them just
       for being who they are.
       Politicians always make
       the weak in society pay
       for others' mistakes.

Diego:
       That would make anyone
       want to fight back!

=======================================================================

* AFTER 2 ROUNDS *

Ash:
       We have to release
       that drawbridge!
       If we 'examine'
       the switch, it should
       release it!

=======================================================================

* VICTORY *

(Ash, Clint and Diego enter the church where they find a small group of
rioters with weapons.)

Ash:
       You're surrounded.
       Drop your weapons.
       We don't want any more
       needless bloodshed.

(A smartly-dressed man walks towards Ash from the altar. He has a stick
in one hand. It is Count Claymore.)

Count Claymore:
       You mean that,
       don't you?

Ash:
       Of course I do.

Young man:
       Don't listen Count! He's
       a blood drinking devil!

Count Claymore:
       But if we continue,
       everyone will die.

Other young man:
       Excuse me, Count...
       But how can you trust
       these soldiers that just
       slaughtered us?

Count Claymore:
       Peace needs to begin
       somewhere.
       Also, this man seems
       different than those
       crimson murderers.
       I'll give him a chance.

(Count Claymore steps forward.)

Count Claymore:
       We surrender.

(The men all drop their weapons and step back a bit cautiously.)

Ash:
       I'm Ash Lambert.
       Ishtarian Security Force.
       Thank you for your
       quick compliance.

Count Claymore:
       My name is Roland
       Claymore. This riot is
       my responsibility.
       Please do not blame
       anyone else.

Ash:
       We have laws here. It's
       not for me to decide...
       But I will report
       that you offered us
       no resistance.

Kane:
       That's enough!
       Stop right there!

(They all turn to see Kane and the Crimson Soldiers enter the church,
and they close the doors behind them.)

Ash:
       The Crimson Guards
       have come back.

Kane:
       Nice job for a bunch of
       weaklings like you!
       But we'll assume control
       from this point on!
       Or maybe this son of a
       traitor wants to take
       credit for this?

Ash:
       I want no credit.
       Do as you like.

(The Crimson Guards march forward and Clint and Diego move aside. Kane
stops when he reaches Ash, waits a while, then Ash also steps aside.)

Kane:
       Thank you, I will...
       Which one is Claymore?

Count Claymore:
       I am...

Kane:
       Good. Come over here.

(Claymore walks over and stands next to Kane.)

Kane:
       I have no need for the
       others. Kill them!

(The Crimson Soldiers advance and the rioters try to run away. Diego
steps forward in horror and we hear swords slicing flesh as blood
sprays up from off-screen.)

Count Claymore:
       What have you done?!

(Claymore walks forward and falls to his knees. The camera pans across
to show the corpses of the rioters, then pans back to show Ash and his
companions.)

Diego:
       Murderer...

Clint:
       I won't forget this!

Ash:
       Kane you bastard!!!!

Kane:
       So the traitor finally
       shows his colors?
       Good! I've wanted to
       cross swords with you for
       a long time!

(Kane draws his mighty blade, but the church doors swing open and Clive
rushes in. He stands between them.)

Clive:
       Stop it you two!

Ash:
       Commander Beckett!

Clive:
       Stop! You're both sworn
       to defend this country!

Kane:
       Leave us be old man!

Clive:
       You had best watch that
       mouth of yours, Kane!
       The Crimson Guard is
       already in enough trouble
       with the council.
       More trouble and even
       your dad, Hel Spites
       won't be able to help.

Kane:
       Save your hollow threats
       for someone else...
       But I will be a big man
       and forget your rude
       words to me today.
       However, I'm taking this
       old blueblood with me!

(Kane leads the Crimson Guards out of the church, taking Claymore with
them. They close the doors behind them.)

Ash:
       Damn him...

Clive:
       Thanks for staying cool,
       Ash. It will be fine...

=======================================================================

       The next day...

(We see Clive and another man standing in his office. The other man has
long black hair and large metal shoulder pads. He is wearing an ornate
royal-looking cloak.)

Ash:
       Excuse me sir.

(Ash enters the room and the other man steps forward.

       Oh! You must be Ash!

Clive:
       Ash, this is
       Dolf Crowley,
       a representative from
       the Young Revolutionary
       Party.

Ash:
       Nice to meet you.

Clive:
       Dolf has been sent out
       as a mediator to deal
       with yesterday's
       incident.

Ash:
       Hmm..............

Dolf:
       I understand exactly how
       you feel Ash.
       The Crimson Guards were
       completely at fault in
       yesterday's massacre.
       Normally there would be
       need for a mediator in a
       case like this, but there
       are a few complications.
       As you know, the Crimson
       Guards are the pet
       project of Hel Spites,
       the Minister of Defense.
       Hel's tactics may be
       questionable, but his
       power and influence
       in the council are not.
       I personally think that
       he is a dangerous man
       who needs to be watched.

Ash:
       ....................

Dolf:
       Two council members are
       competing to become head.
       Hel Spites and Renaldo
       Castille, who is as you
       know the head of the
       Domestic Security
       Forces, your boss. See
       the pattern?

Ash:
       You're saying it's more
       than just a personal
       grudge between us and
       the Crimson Guard.
       Do you think it could
       escalate into a
       confrontation between
       the DSF and the army?!

Dolf:
       Well... Let's not be
       overly pessimistic.
       But we need to act
       swiftly to avoid
       future trouble.

Ash:
       ...So what do you
       want us to do?

Dolf:
       As punishment we'll send
       you on leave away from
       your policing duties here
       in the capital. But
       that's just to establish
       your cover! The truth is
       that I have a top secret
       assignment for you...

(The screen fades to black and fades back into a conference room. Ash,
Diego, Clint and Clive are gathered around a large table.)

Diego:
       So what is this top
       secret mission?

Ash:
       Do you know who General
       Magnus Dunbar is?

Diego:
       Of course. The greatest
       hero of our country! Why?

Clint:
       He's also 2nd in line
       behind Hel in the
       Defense Ministry.

Ash:
       Well 3 months ago he
       went to Gillbaris Island
       with a squad of hand
       picked soldiers and he
       hasn't been seen since.

Clint:
       Gillbaris Island? In
       the Gadar Sea? Why?

Ash:
       I don't know. But I've
       heard rumors that he was
       acting on secret orders
       from Hel who was
       planning a coup d'etat.

Clint:
       That guy is out
       of control.

Diego:
       And he wants us to
       investigate that, huh...

Clint:
       But Magnus is known for
       his sense of justice.
       I don't think he would
       just blindly follow Hel
       Spites' orders...

Clive:
       This secret assignment
       makes me uneasy...
       I'm still not personally
       sure how much we can
       believe this Dolf.
       It may be a wise
       idea not to accept
       this assignment...

Ash:
       No. I'm going to go.
       If we stay here we may
       cause trouble for you.
       You've been a good
       friend to me.

Clive:
       Ash, that's not why I
       had you assigned here!

Ash:
       Of course I know that.
       But whatever Dolf's
       reasons may be, we can't
       ignore what happened
       to General Magnus.

Clint:
       That's true.

Diego:
       I wanted to take a
       vacation anyway.

Clive:
       I understand...
       But this is a dangerous
       assignment. I want you
       to be careful every step
       of the way.

======= PALACE RUINS ==================================================

(After leaving Shumeria and travelling to the palace ruins, we see the
gang amongst old-looking columns and structures.)

Ash:
       This was the palace
       of the Ashah Dynasty.

Clint:
       15 years ago Arris' army
       arrived here.
       This magnificent palace
       was burned to the ground.
       Even now, when it grows
       dark, the spirits of the
       dead haunt this place.

Diego:
       Hey cut it out! You're
       giving me the creeps!

Mysterious voice:
       Go back where
       you came from!

Diego:
       Eeeeeeek!

Mysterious voice:
       A curse will befall all
       who enter here!

Ash:
       Don't be silly. Nothing
       to be afraid of.

Mysterious voice:
       Fools! Die then
       if you wish!

(The camera zooms out to show many Clay Golems teleporting down into
the ruins.)

=======================================================================

** BATTLE IN THE PALACE RUINS **

VICTORY = Destruction of enemies
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* VICTORY *

(A small girl with blonde hair emerges from behind a column. She is
wearing red robes and has a staff of some sort in her hand.)

Girl:
       My clay golems!...

(She runs over to where the three soldiers are standing.)

Ash:
       That doesn't sound like
       the same voice!

Clint:
       So this is the one who
       created the golems...

Diego:
       That was a pretty
       vicious thing to do!

Girl:
       You're the vicious ones!
       Trying to make my
       daddy into a traitor!...

Ash:
       Daddy?...
       Who are you?...

Girl:
       Eleni Dunbar, daughter
       of Magnus Dunbar.

Ash:
       General Dunbar!?!
       But it seems that
       you're misinformed.
       We're just trying to...

Huxley:
       Miss Eleni!

(The camera rotates to show an old man shuffle across the stone bridge.
He is wearing white robes and has a long, grey beard. He is also
carrying a staff.)

Eleni:
       Huxley!... I told you
       not to follow me!

Huxley:
       But Miss Eleni...
       Oh... Some gentlemen from
       the DSF, I hope she didn't
       bother you...

Diego:
       'Bother'! She tried to
       kill us!!

(Huxley bows down to Ash and the others.)

Huxley:
       A thousand humble
       pardons, my lords...
       I am Miss Eleni's tutor,
       Huxley Hobbes.
       It seems as if the young
       miss has heard some
       foolish rumors...

Eleni:
       It isn't a foolish rumor!

(Ash walks over to Eleni.)

Ash:
       Please just listen to
       our side of the story...
       Some say that Magnus was
       planning a coup, but we
       never believed it!

Eleni:
       So you think something
       happened to him?

Ash:
       That's what we came to
       this island to find out.

Eleni:
       I believe you. Let's
       get started!

Huxley:
       Absolutely not! I won't
       allow it, Miss!

Eleni:
       It's my decision! And
       stop calling me 'Miss'!
       Please Ash, I want to
       help my father!
       Let me come with you!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

* QUESTION *
>       1. OK. Let's go!
>       2. No you're too young!

* ANSWER *
>       1. OK. Let's go!

Ash:
       OK. Let's go!
       But you better be
       able to take care
       of yourself!

Eleni:
       Thanks Ash!

Diego:
       Geez, Ash.
       I can't believe you!

* ANSWER *
>       2. No you're too young!

Ash:
       No you're too young!
       This is no picnic!

Eleni:
       Fine. I'll just go to
       Gillbaris Island myself.

Diego:
       I guess we have to take
       her now, Ash...

Ash:
       ....................

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Huxley:
       What?!!!!.....
       In that case, I shall be
       forced to go as well.
       Although I appear frail,
       I am a master of healing.
       You will need my help!

       Eleni joined your party.

       Huxley joined your party.

Diego:
       Even the old guy is
       gonna come with us?!
       Oh man!

=======================================================================

(The screen fades into a dark prison somewhere. Count Claymore has been
chained to a post and Kane is standing in front of him. Lurking by the
door is a man in grand robes and armor, his grey hair elegantly combed
back across his head.)

Kane:
       C'mon old man,
       tell us what you know!

(Kane steps forward and hits Claymore in the face.)

Count Claymore:
       Oooof.
       I... know... nothing...

Hel:
       Don't lie, Count.
       As the highest ranking
       nobleman,
       you must know!

Count Claymore:
       ...............

Kane:
       Fool! My father heard
       you! How about that?!

(Kane hits Claymore across the face again.)

Voice:
       Hey it's not nice to
       mistreat old people.

(The camera pans back to the entrance and the gates roll down. Dolf
walks in and stands beside Hel Spites.)

Hel:
       Oh, it's you.

Dolf:
       Don't kill the
       old fool... yet.
       There is still valuable
       information that we
       require.

Kane:
       I like you. You're
       almost as evil as I.
       Would you like to take
       a crack at breaking this
       old man?

Hel:
       Enough, Kane!
       So... Dolf... How
       goes our little plan?

Dolf:
       Everything is going as
       scheduled...
       Just to be sure, one of
       my people has even
       infiltrated their group.

Hel:
       Good...
       Now we just have to wait
       for them to arrive at
       Gillbaris Island.

Count Claymore:
       Gillbaris Island!
       No... You mustn't!

Dolf:
       Ho ho. I knew you
       knew something.

Count Claymore:
       Ooops...

Kane:
       Now you can tell me
       everything you know...

======= RHINE BRIDGE ==================================================

(The group has assembled on a large wooden bridge held up by thick
cables. Beneath them is a fast-flowing river.)

Huxley:
       These kinds of bridges
       just aren't safe.

Diego:
       C'mon!
       I'm going anyway!

Clint:
       I'm not so sure
       about that...

(The camera pans across to the other end of the bridge where there is a
large gang of thieves. They look similar to Zoot's gang, only with a
darker shade of green on their clothing.)

Thief:
       Huh?
       Those aren't merchants.

Other thief:
       Don't bother me none!
       We can always sell their
       stuff for money after
       we kill 'em.

Diego:
       Oboy...
       Where did these guys
       come from all of a
       sudden?

Ash:
       Don't worry.
       Piece of cake!

Thief:
       Hey it looks like these
       guys are game!

Other thief:
       Don't worry. We won't
       even bloody our hands!

Clint:
       Look out! I smell
       gunpowder!

(The camera zooms out and the part of the bridge behind the group
explodes, leaving a wide gap back to the land. The cables still hold
the rest of the bridge in place.)

Thief:
       Huh? I missed.
       Well that's okay.
       This bridge will
       collapse soon anyway.
       They're headed for the
       bottom of the river.

Huxley:
       This is not good.

Ash:
       Let's cross this bridge
       before it collapses!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE ON THE RHINE BRIDGE **

VICTORY = Destruction of enemies
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* EVERY TURN *

(A piece of the bridge will explode every turn. Any units, allies or
enemies, are killed if they are standing on the part of the bridge as
it explodes.)

* AFTER 1 ROUND *

Diego:
       Eleni, why don't you whip
       out some golems now?

Eleni:
       Don't you remember? You
       destroyed them all!
       Do you know how long it
       took me to make those
       golems?
       One year to form them
       from the mud and two
       years to give them life!

Diego:
       Okay okay, I got it...
       Next time you should
       make them a little
       more durable!

Eleni:
       Hmph!

* AFTER 2 ROUNDS *

(An female archer dressed in pink garments appears on the other side of
the bridge.)

Female warrior:
       Looks like you guys
       could use some help!

Ash:
       Who are you?

Female warrior:
       My name's Kira Wulfstan.
       Let's fight together.

* WHEN KIRA ATTACKS *

Kira:
       Suck on this, brigand!

Ash:
       What a fighter!

* VICTORY *

(Having killed all of the thieves, the group assemble on the safety of
the land the other side of the bridge.)

Ash:
       I'm Ash Lambert...
       Thanks for helping us.

Kira:
       I'm Kira. A mercenary.

Diego:
       A fierce warrior and a
       beauty as well.
       I think I'm in love...

Clint:
       That's rude Diego.

Kira:
       That's okay. Want to
       hire me as a bodyguard?
       It looks like you only
       have this one cute guy as
       your basic archer class.
       I'll bet you could use
       another archer in your
       party. How about it?

Diego:
       He he. She called me
       cute!
       You're a fine archer!
       We welcome you to
       our party, right Ash?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

* QUESTION *
>       1. Of course we do.
>       2. But...

* ANSWER *
>       1. Of course we do.

Ash:
       Of course we do. You'll
       be a great help.

Diego:
       Now things are getting
       interesting!

* ANSWER *
>       2. But...

Ash:
       But this is a top
       secret mission!

Diego:
       So what?! What about
       Eleni and the old man?

Ash:
       Okay... That's a good
       point. She can come.

Diego:
       Yahoo!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Clint:
       Are you sure, Ash?
       We shouldn't involve
       some woman who we
       hardly know.

Kira:
       Oh yeah? Well I bet I'm
       a match for even you!

Clint:
       It's not your strength
       that I'm questioning...

Diego:
       You sound like a grumpy
       old man, Clint!

Clint:
       ...............

Ash:
       The sun will set soon...
       Let's make camp.

=======================================================================

(Night-time, Ash is standing beside the river playing a soothing melody
on a small instrument (I think it's an ocarina). Eleni slowly wanders
down and waits nearby for him to finish playing.)

Eleni:
       That's beautiful...

Ash:
       Oh... It's you.
       Couldn't sleep?

Eleni:
       I want to apologize for
       forcing you to take me.

Ash:
       Well I understand you're
       worried about your dad.
       But you should know that
       it's possible that your
       dad really is a traitor.
       It's also possible that
       he has reasons that
       neither of us know about.
       I want you to be ready
       to judge for yourself
       when the time comes.

Eleni:
       ...I know what you're
       trying to say
       but I trust my
       father completely!

Ash:
       ...............

(There is a long pause as Ash and Eleni both watch the river flow by.)

Eleni:
       The truth is...
       I'm adopted.
       15 years ago, Magnus
       found me. My parents had
       been killed in the war
       and I couldn't remember
       who I was or what my
       name was.
       But Magnus loved me as
       if I was his own flesh and
       blood.
       That's why I'll always
       trust my father even if
       no one else does.

Ash:
       That's beautiful. I'm
       jealous of you...

Eleni:
       You don't trust your
       father?

Ash:
       He died during
       the Revolution.

Eleni:
       I'm so sorry!

Ash:
       No. Don't be sorry.
       He doesn't deserve it.
       My father was a soldier
       in the Liberation Army,
       but he switched sides and
       died a traitor's death.
       My mother and I faced
       constant humiliation...
       After mother died I fell
       apart and only Commander
       Beckett trusted me.
       He saved me from
       myself...

Eleni:
       Mr. Lambard...

Ash:
       Anyway, I didn't mean to
       bore you with that...
       Please call me Ash.
       Okay Eleni?

Eleni:
       Sure... Ash and you can
       call me Eleni.
       Sweet dreams, Ash.

Ash:
       Goodnight, Eleni...

(Ash watches as Eleni walks back to where she came from. He folds his
arms and closes his eyes.)

======= PORT CITY MINATO ==============================================

Ash:
       We need to find a ship
       to take us to Gillbaris
       Island. Let's go to the
       tavern and ask around.

Clint:
       Hmm... It's strange.
       Last time I was here,
       this was a lively and
       bustling port city...

======= PORT CITY MINATO TAVERN =======================================

(Ash and the others go to the tavern and talk to the people there. If
you try to leave the bar, the bartender stops you.)

Bartender:
       Wait a minute! There
       is one chance...
       Nah... Forget it!
       He'd never do it!

Ash:
       Tell me! What?

Bartender:
       Well his name is
       Grog Drinkwater...
       He was a great sailor
       once, but his younger
       brother was killed by
       Hassan the Pirate and
       he hasn't been the
       same since...

Ash:
       Let's go have a talk
       with this fellow Grog...

======= GROG'S HOUSE ==================================================

(A small house with bottles of drink all over the place. A man is
sitting on the rug in the middle of the room, gulping down drink from
a bottle, which is supposedly alcohol. There is a knock at the door,
but the man ignores it.)

Ash:
       Excuse me?...

(There are three more knocks on the door, and the man doesn't even look
away from his drink.)

Ash:
       Anybody home?...

(Three more knocks and still no response.)

Ash:
       I'm coming in.

(The door opens and Ash, Diego and Clint all walk inside. Still, the
man continues to drink, apparently oblivious to the world around him.)

Diego:
       Man, this place
       stinks of wine!

Grog:
       You bust into my place
       and then mouth off?!

Ash:
       Sorry, we knocked
       but no one answered.

Grog:
       Stupid punks!!!
       I didn't answer cause
       I didn't wanna be
       bothered!

Clint:
       Well we're here anyway.
       We want to hire you and
       your ship to take us to
       Gillbaris Island.
       Of course we will
       pay you handsomely.

Grog:
       Gillbaris Island?!...
       Even you strangers must
       have heard the rumors of
       Hassan the Pirate!
       If ya don't wanna die,
       you'll forget about
       goin' there!

Ash:
       We're not leaving until
       you agree to take us...

(The screen fades to black, then fades back in again. The room has got
darker. They must have been waiting a long time...)

Grog:
       ...C'mon already. We'd
       never make it there!

Ash:
       We can protect you
       from those sea dogs.

Grog:
       Okay. I'll make a deal
       with you.
       If you guys are strong
       enough to defeat the
       monster livin' in the
       sand dunes outside
       of town, I'll think
       about it.

Ash:
       Okay. It's a deal.

Diego:
       Ash, you don't even know
       what the heck it is!

(Ash and Clint ignore Diego and leave the house, and the archer quickly
hurries after them.)

Grog:
       Don't get your fool
       selves killed...

======= SAND DUNES OF SEA =============================================

(The group are standing on the sand fields, dead trees here and there.
It looks like a vast desert.)

Huxley:
       Oh this sand is killing
       my flat feet!

Eleni:
       I told you not to come
       along!

Kira:
       By the way, what kind
       of monster is it?

Clint:
       Huh? There's something
       moving under the sand!

(The camera rotates to show six clawed hands burrowing out of the sand.
In the middle of them, a large insectoid monster head emerges and the
sand raises to form a hill with the monster's head at the top.)

Huxley:
       Oh no! It's a bug!...
       I detest bugs!!!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE ON THE SAND DUNES OF SEA **

VICTORY = Defeat of monster
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* EVERY ROUND *

(Any arms which have been killed previously are resurrected in the
corners of the battlefield.)

* AFTER 1 ROUND *

Ash:
       We're gonna have to
       aim for its head!

* VICTORY *

(To the next scene...)

======= GROG'S HOUSE ==================================================

(Ash, Diego and Clint are back in Grog's house. This time the man seems
to have tidied up the place. He is no longer drinking and the bottles
have been cleared up. Also he is... STANDING!!)

Grog:
       I never thought you guys
       were really gonna do it.

Clint:
       So that means you'll
       take us now, right?

(Grog turns around and steps away, revealing a mighty sword and shield
on his back. The camera swivels round to show us his face.)

Grog:
       ...............
       Let me sleep on it,
       okay?

Diego:
       Sleep on it?!
       You promised!

Ash:
       Hold on...

(There is a brief pause.)

Ash:
       We'll accept your answer
       tomorrow, but let me just
       say one thing...
       Whoever it is you've
       lost, drinking won't
       bring them back...
       Just remember that...

(Ash, Diego and Clint leave the house. Diego pauses for a moment to
look back at Grog, then follows the others. After the front door has
closed, Grog bows his head.)

Grog:
       ...Little brother...
       I'm sorry...

=======================================================================

       The next day...

(The four men are back in Grog's house.)

Grog:
       All right.
       I'll take you!

Ash:
       Thanks a lot!

Grog:
       I thought about what you
       said and you were right.

       Grog joined your party.

Grog:
       The ships docked just
       outta town...

======= GADAR SEA =====================================================

(Out in the ocean with no land in sight, a large ship sails past and we
can see a number of menacing-looking pirates on board. It sails
alongside Grog's ship and two bridges extend from the side, joining the
two vessels.)

Grog:
       Ha! I knew he'd
       show up!

Ash:
       That's Hassan
       the Pirate?

(The camera swings round to focus on Hassan, a muscle-bound pirate with
a long ponytail, tanned skin and a gigantic axe in his hands.)

Hassan:
       Been too long since we
       seen some action!

Pirate:
       You're so famous that no
       ships even try to come
       through anymore.
       Look! This is no trader,
       but there's 2 women!

Hassan:
       Eh? Who's that?!

Grog:
       I've come to avenge
       my friends!

Hassan:
       You really want
       to fight me!?!

Pirate:
       Master? What's the
       problem?

Hassan:
       Ho... Ho... No problems...
       Let's fight then!
       You ran away while
       you're friends died                                     [sic]
       one by one!
       No drunken good for
       nothing has-been can
       fight me and live!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE IN THE GADAR SEA **

VICTORY = Defeat of Hassan
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* VICTORY *

Hassan:
       Argh! Brother...

(The screen fades to black. When it fades back in, Hassan is laying on
the deck of his ship, wounded. The others are all around him and Grog
is kneeling beside him.)

Hassan:
       Oooof... Ss... Strong...
       Always stronger... me

Grog:
       Fool...
       You goddamn fool!

Diego:
       ?!...
       What's going on here?

Clint:
       He said his brother was
       killed by pirates....
       But in reality
       Hassan was
       his brother?!

Hassan:
       Ever since we were kids,
       I was always trying to
       catch up to you... Always
       trying to be stronger,
       tougher than you...
       For a while I thought I
       had passed you, but I was
       just a filthy pirate...
       I'm sorry for what I did
       to your friends!... Ugh!

Grog:
       It's okay now...
       Try to relax!...

Hassan:
       I wish I could go back...
       Do it over again...
       I... just... got... tired
       of... chasing you...
       Good bye..........

(The group watches as Hassan's breathing lessens and he dies. Grog bows
his head and closes his eyes. The screen fades to black.)

(When it fades back in, Grog is standing at the back of his ship,
staring out into the ocean. Ash approaches him from behind.)

Ash:
       I'm sorry, Grog.
       I got you involved with
       no idea of what I was
       doing...

(Grog turns around, smiling.)

Grog:
       No... It was a good thing.
       Didn't you notice how
       peaceful his face
       looked in death?
       He wanted to die...
       by my hand. He was
       consumed by guilt!
       I knew how he felt, but
       I ran away from it. I'm
       glad he's finally free!

Ash:
       ...............

Grog:
       Don't worry about it!
       You got yer own problems.
       Anyway, I want to come
       with ya. I have no life
       back there and I can
       see you'll need my
       help!

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

ACT I: A PREMONITION OF WAR
                       END

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

Gillbaris Island....

Over the centuries, this tiny island in the Gadar Sea has given rise to
numerous myths and legends. It is called the Island of Ancient
Mysteries and has been the subject of much speculation over the years.

It is the island of General Magnus' disappearance and it is here that
Ash and his companions now venture.

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

ACT II: ISLAND OF MADNESS

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

(Fade in to show the group on the outskirts of a small town with tiny
huts and wooden fences.)

Grog:
       So here we are. The
       island's only city.

Kira:
       But there's something
       wrong with this place!

(The camera pans across the village. There are stone statues of weird
beasts here and there and the villagers are all facing the group. Their
skin is an unnatural green and their eyes are red. They are all holding
dangerous-looking sharp farming tools.)

Villager:
       Interlopers!

(Pans across to an old man, also green.)

Villagers:
       Interlopers are here!

(Pans across to a young woman.)

Villager:
       Kill the interlopers!

(Pans across to another woman.)

Villagers:
       Kill them!

(Pans across to a young man.)

Villager:
       Kill them all!

(The camera finally pans back to the group.)

Huxley:
       Not exactly what I'd
       call a warm reception...

Eleni:
       Oooh!...
       There's an evil and
       malicious force coming
       from those statues!

(The camera zooms across to one of the stone beasts and we hear an
eerie wailing noise, then pans back to the group.)

Clint:
       They're being controlled
       by those statues?!

Ash:
       Destroy the statues but
       spare the villagers!

Diego:
       Easy to say, but what
       if they attack us?

Clint:
       The blocks can be used
       to slow them down.
       Push the blocks to
       guide them and maybe we
       can avoid killing them.

=======================================================================

** BATTLE IN YUZU VILLAGE **

VICTORY = Destruction of statues
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash and villagers

=======================================================================

* VICTORY *

(The group are bunched up in the middle of the village and still the
zombie-like villagers are advancing upon them slowly.)

Diego:
       We destroyed the statues
       but they keep coming!

Eleni:
       Don't be so sure.
       Take a look!

(There is a bright white glow and when it fades, the villagers have
returned to normal, their skin regular colour and their eyes normal.)

Villager:
       Huh... Where are we...
       What's going on?...

Villager:
       It was like a
       horrible nightmare...

Villager:
       Yech! My mouth
       tastes terrible!

Ash:
       Ha ha! Well I'm glad
       you're better now.

(The screen fades to black and then back in to the interior of a
building, presumably in the village. The group are standing inside with
a few of the villagers.)

Mayor:
       Thank you for
       saving us!

Ash:
       What happened to
       you anyway?

Mayor:
       It all started 3
       months ago...
       It started when soldiers
       came from the mainland to
       do an investigation.

Clint:
       That must have
       been Magnus!

Mayor:
       Yes! That was his
       name, Magnus!

Diego:
       You said they came
       to investigate...?

Mayor:
       Yes. The ruins
       of a fortress...
       But we never
       go near it...

Ash:
       Why is that?

Mayor:
       There are many scary
       legends about the ruins
       Some say they can see
       flickering lights or
       hear strange wailing...
       When Magnus told us why
       he had come, we tried to
       convince him not to go.
       But he just laughed
       at all our warnings...
       A few weeks went by as
       usual, and then one
       night...

(The screen fades out and then in to show the same building. The mayor
is standing alone inside when a villager rushes in.)

Man:
       Mayor... Monsters...
       A whole bunch of 'em!!!

Mayor:
       What are you talking
       about?!

(The man runs to the back of the room as three creatures run inside.
They have pink and purple armor and strange white eyes. Each one is
carrying a curved knife in each hand.)

Man:
       Aaaaahhhhh!!!

Mayor:
       What in hell's
       name are you!

(Another creature enters the building. It looks exactly like General
Magnus only his armor is also pink and purple and his skin has turned
purple. His eyes are glowing white and his armor is shimmering in an
eerie way.)

Mayor:
       You... I know you!!!

(Beams of energy fly through the air around Magnus and three beams
which look like electricity fire from his hand into the mayor and the
villager. One is green, one blue and the other purple.)

Mayor:
       Uggghhhh!...

(The villagers' skin has turned green like when Ash and the others
first met them. The screen glows white. When it fades we are back in
the room with the group in the present again.)

Ash:
       And you don't remember
       anything after that...

Mayor:
       That's right...
       And yet I'm certain that
       it was Magnus that did
       this to us...

Clint:
       It seems hard to
       believe and yet...

Ash:
       We have to go to the
       ruins to check things out
       I know it's dangerous,
       but there's no
       other way!

(Fade out. Player is free to explore the village and leave the town
when they are ready.)

======= YGDRA CANYON===================================================

(There is a bridge with over a narrow but fast-flowing river. Three
people run up to the bridge and then back and forth as if in panic. One
of them is wearing silver knight armor, one is an archer and is wearing
a blue outfit, and the other one is female and wears long white robes.
The archer is the first to speak.)

Amon:
       It's no good!...
       We're finished!

Dolan:
       Don't give up!
       Over that bridge
       and we'll soon be
       in Yuzu Village.

Amon:
       But what if they've
       taken the village too?!

Sara:
       Enough, Amon! You're
       too pessimistic!

Dolan:
       Uh oh! They've
       caught us!

(Eight of the pink/purple creatures from the village and one dog appear
nearby.)

Dolan:
       I'll distract them while
       you two get away!

Sara:
       We won't leave
       you alone!

Amon:
       Look! Some strangers have arrived!

(The camera pans across to the other side of the river where Ash and
the others have arrived.)

Huxley:
       Those people are under
       attack by demons!

Ash:
       We're coming to save
       you! Hang on!

Dolan:
       We'll try!

       Dolan joined your party.

       Amon joined your party.

       Sara joined your party.

Diego:
       But how are we gonna
       get to the other side?

(The camera shows that the river near Dolan and the others is, in fact,
an aqueduct with a closing function. It is over another wider river.)

Kira:
       If we can shut off the
       flow of water in the
       aqueduct, we can cross.
       Look for a switch!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE IN YGDRA CANYON **

VICTORY = Destruction of enemies
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash or Dolan

=======================================================================

* VICTORY *

(The group are standing by the aqueduct with their new-found
companions.)

Dolan:
       We owe you our lives...

Eleni:
       Captain Dolan!... You're
       Captain Dolan!

Dolan:
       Well if it isn't
       Miss Eleni!

Ash:
       You know each other?

Eleni:
       Yes. Captain Dolan is
       one of my father's men.

Clint:
       Tell us Captain, what
       were those monsters?

(Dolan and Sara look at each other, then Dolan and Amon.)

Dolan:
       Those are my men trans-
       formed into monsters.
       And they are being led
       by General Magnus.

Eleni:
       I don't believe you!
       You lie!

Dolan:
       I'm sorry Eleni,
       but it's the truth.

Ash:
       ...Well anyway, this
       place isn't safe.
       Let's go back to
       Yuzu Village.

======= YUZU VILLAGE ==================================================

(The group are all inside the building in the village.)

Dolan:
       Let me try to explain
       the whole story.
       As you know, we came to
       investigate the ruins
       on this island.
       We were sent after stone
       tablets, indicating that
       these ruins are the site
       of Toroah's Ark, were
       discovered!

Diego:
       'Toroah's Ark'? From
       the Holy Tome?

Dolan:
       I know it's hard to
       believe, but this has
       tremendous political
       significance for the
       new government.

(Clint steps forward.)

Clint:
       Wait... I think
       I understand...
       The Ashah Dynasty claims
       to be descended from
       Toroah who used the Ark
       to survive the Great
       Calamity. Discovery of
       the Ark would provide
       evidence that Toroah is
       no legend. If the story
       of Toroah is real, then
       the Ashah Dynasty
       has a rightful claim
       to rule Ishtaria.

Dolan:
       That's correct.
       Furthermore, with all
       of the recent terrorist
       attacks, we thought that
       this kind of news might
       cause a mass riot.
       That's why we came
       to this island secretly.

Diego:
       I see why you came here.
       But where did those
       monsters come from?

(Dolan looks at Amon and Sara and they look back at him.)

Dolan:
       I'm not exactly
       sure myself.
       We were only away for a
       short time, but something
       happened. When we got
       back and saw how they
       had transformed, we
       tried to escape but they
       captured us. It wasn't
       until today that we
       managed to escape.

Ash:
       So there's no clues as
       to what happened?

Dolan:
       It's possible that Magnus
       had a secret mission.
       He did seem to be
       searching for something
       in particular...

(The screen fades out and the player is free to explore Yuzu. The
following occurs when you try to leave the village...)

Dolan:
       Wait a moment, Ash.
       If you're going to
       the ruins, I'd like
       to go with you.
       Unlike the villagers,
       the soldiers can't be
       cured. There's no other
       way, so I'll free them
       from their nightmare with
       my own blade.

Sara:
       I'm going too! If I
       don't, I'll regret if for
       the rest of my life.
       You're going too,
       right Amon?

Amon:
       We just escaped and you
       want to go back there?!

Sara:
       You're going to make
       me go alone?

Amon:
       OK I got it!
       I'll go too...

======= LORIS BEACH ===================================================

(The group are on some dead wastelands with bubbling purple pools all
around them.)

Sara:
       Enemies!
       Not too many, but...

(The camera pans around the battlefield showing various monsters ahead
of them all.)

Amon:
       Uh oh! There are
       more behind us!

Kira:
       I'll take care of the
       ones back here!

(Kira walks off behind the group to the monsters.)

Clint:
       Don't be a fool!

(Clint chases after her. After he passes a small hill, two zombie-
soldiers appear from behind it and then two golems teleport in.)

Dolan:
       Damn! There's
       still more!

Huxley:
       We're totally
       surrounded!

Ash:
       Stick together or we'll
       never get out of here!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE ON LORIS BEACH **

VICTORY = Destruction of enemies</pre><pre id="faqspan-2">
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* AFTER 1 ROUND *

Ash:
       Look out for the
       poisonous areas!

* VICTORY *

(Ash, Diego, Huxley and Dolan are sitting around a camp fire at night.)

Ash:
       There's one thing I
       don't understand...
       How can these fortress
       ruins also be
       Toroah's Ark?

Dolan:
       I don't completely
       understand either, but
       the idea of an Ark
       may be the result of a
       bad translation from the
       ancient language of
       Dhuron.

Huxley:
       Hmmm. If there really
       was a 'Great Calamity' as
       is written, then the
       people would have been
       more likely to go
       inside a fortress
       rather than a ship!

Diego:
       By the way, where
       did Kira go?

Huxley:
       Hmmm. Clint isn't
       around either...

Diego:
       That creep...
       I saw her first!

(Diego walks off and the screen fades to black. It fades back in to
show Clint and Kira standing by a river or lake.)

Kira:
       I hope you called me
       here for a good reason!

Clint:
       A warning...
       You fight too recklessly!

Kira:
       I think I've proven my
       prowess in battle...

Clint:
       Oh I admit that you're
       a first class warrior.
       You fight as if you have
       nothing to lose. There's
       a sadness to you...
       It's almost as if you
       don't care whether
       you live or die.

Kira:
       ...............

Clint:
       Well... That's all I
       wanted to say.

(He starts to walk away.)

Kira:
       Wait!

(Clint stops.)

Kira:
       I guess I should thank
       you for saving me today.

Clint:
       ...............

(Clint walks away and Diego passes his as he enters. He looks back to
watch Clint leave, then walks over to Kira.)

Diego:
       Did you two have some
       kind of fight?
       I looked everywhere
       for you.

Kira:
       He's a self-righteous
       jerk!

Diego:
       Before you say that,
       listen to this story...
       He saw his lover slain
       right in front of his
       own eyes.

Kira:
       By the gods!...

(Diego walks down to the water.)

Diego:
       It's been almost
       3 years now...
       The scum who did it had
       a grudge against Clint,
       and Clint knew it...
       Bastard shot her and
       galloped away... All in
       front of Clint...
       He still blames himself
       for not preventing it.
       It eats him up inside...
       That's why he tends to
       come on a little strong.
       Cause he cares so much.

Kira:
       I had no idea...

======= CASTLE RUINS ==================================================

Ash:
       We've finally arrived.

Eleni:
       Father is somewhere
       in there...

(The camera rotates to show a wide fortress guarded by lots of monsters
and zombified soldiers. There are two elevators leading up to the top
of the fortress.)

Amon:
       We need to use that lift
       machine to get inside.
       Let's split into two
       groups so we can use the
       lifts on either side.

Ash:
       Good. We'll meet in
       front of the entrance!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE OUTSIDE CASTLE RUINS **

VICTORY = Arrival at entrance
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* VICTORY *

(The group are standing at the entrance to the ruins at the top of some
stone steps.)

Clint:
       We made it.

Diego:
       Yeah, but what's next?

Grog:
       Are you sure we're
       ready, Ash?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

* QUESTION *
>       1. Let's head back...
>       2. We're ready to go.

* ANSWER *
>       1. Let's head back...

Ash:
       Let's head back and
       resupply.

* ANSWER *
>       2. We're ready to go.

Ash:
       We're ready to go.
       Stay alive everybody!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
=======================================================================

(Fade to the interior of the ruins. Observant players will notice that
this is the temple from the very first scene of Vandal Hearts. Magnus
is standing in the middle of the hall with his back to the group.)

Ash:
       General Magnus!

Magnus:
       ...............

Eleni:
       Daddy!

(Eleni rushes forward towards Magnus.)

Ash:
       Eleni, wait!!

Magnus:
       L...Leni is it you?

Eleni:
       Yes daddy!

(Magnus bends over and begins to glow brightly.)

Magnus:
       No!!!.....
       Get away from me!!!

Eleni:
       Daddy, what is it?...

Magnus:
       Hurry... I can't resist
       much longer!...

Eleni:
       Daddy... What's happening
       to you?!

Magnus:
       ...............

Eleni:
       Daddy! Daddy!!!

Dolan:
       He can't hear you!
       Get out of there!

(Explosions of all different colours erupt around Magnus and he flashes
and flickers. When the explosions die down, he has purple skin like the
monstrous soldiers. White rays burst out of him and Eleni falls back.)

Eleni:
       Ayaaah!!!

(Magnus disappears and re-appears at the far end of the hall.)

Magnus:
       ...Will... kill...
       you... all...!!

(White rays shoot towards him and a large bronze rune image appears. A
beam of purple light shoots up into the sky with strange runes flying
around. The camera zooms out and many monsters appear in the hall.)

Ash:
       We have no choice but to fight him!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE INSIDE CASTLE RUINS **

VICTORY = Defeat of Magnus
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* VICTORY *

Magnus:
       Gwaaaaahhhhh!!!

(Magnus falls to the ground.)

Magnus:
       Uhhh...

(The group are run to him as the evil colour fades from his skin. Eleni
and Dolan kneel beside him.)

Eleni:
       Daddy, don't die!

Magnus:
       Uhhh...

Dolan:
       He's back to normal!

Magnus:
       Magic stone's curse...
       Finally ...broken?

Ash:
       Magic stone?
       What's that?

Magnus:
       I was sent here to
       retrieve the stone...
       But he never told me
       what could happen...

Ash:
       Who is 'he'?

Magnus:
       He used me... It was
       all his doing...

(There is a silent pause as the group wait. Suddenly an arrow soars
through the air from off-screen and lands in Magnus' chest.)

Magnus:
       Aaargh!

Eleni:
       Nooo! Daddy, no!

Dolan:
       General!

(Ash steps forward.)

Ash:
       It's you!!!

(The screen pans down as Kane and six Crimson Guard soldiers enter
the temple ruins and surround the group.)

Kane:
       Hey, don't be so mad!
       I came to help you!

Eleni:
       Hang in there, daddy!

Dolan:
       Don't worry. I don't
       think it hit any vitals.

Kane:
       Darn, we missed.

Ash:
       You bastard!

Man's voice:
       Well done, Ash my boy.

Ash:
       I should have known
       you were behind this!

(Kane steps aside as Dolf enters and bows before Magnus briefly.)

Dolf:
       Tee hee hee...
       Great job, Ash.
       You and your men
       can be proud!
       Thanks to you, Magnus'
       coup d'etat plans have
       been stopped.

Ash:
       What?!

Dolf:
       You truly deserve the
       title of 'hero'.
       And now... Eleni Dunbar
       and Huxley Hobbes...
       You are under arrest as
       followers of the traitor
       Magnus. Come with us.

(Dolf starts to leave but stops.)

Diego:
       But you can't just...

Dolf:
       Of course I can!

Eleni:
       Leave us alone!
       Can't you see he's hurt!

(A Crimson Guard soldier approaches Magnus but Ash stands in his way.)

Ash:
       Back off!

Dolf:
       Ash my naive friend...
       As you know, interfering
       with us is tantamount
       to treason...
       Think well on whether
       you want to be
       known as a hero
       or whether you want to
       be known as a traitor
       like your father!

Ash:
       ...............

Diego:
       Don't worry Ash,
       we're behind you!

Clint:
       Yeah! We know who's
       really behind this!

Ash:
       ...............

Dolf:
       Glory or shame, Ash.
       Which will it be?

Ash:
       .....Okay. You win.
       Do as you will...

(Clint rushes towards Ash.)

Clint:
       Ash!!!

Diego:
       Ash, you can't!...

Ash:
       Put aside your weapons...
       We're officers who have
       sworn loyalty to the
       state...

Dolf:
       Ho ho ho. A very wise
       decision Ash my boy...
       We're going to tour the
       ruins a few more days.
       In the meantime, put the
       prisoners in the dungeon
       downstairs.

Diego:
       Ash, what's wrong with
       you? Say something!

Ash:
       ...............

Dolf:
       Ho ho ho. Ha ha ha.
       Hee hee hee... Cough.

=======================================================================

(Fade to Loris Beach at night. Ash is wandering along by himself.)

Man's voice:
       Ash!!

(Clint appears and walks over to Ash.)

Clint:
       Where are you going this
       time of the night?

Ash:
       Clint...

(Diego also appears and joins them.)

Diego:
       You don't think we'd let
       you go alone, do you?

(Enter Grog, who also walks over to Ash.)

Grog:
       You're not as quiet
       as you think...

Ash:
       Diego and Grog, too?

Clint:
       You should have let us
       in on your plan...

Ash:
       I didn't want to involve
       you all in this...
       There's no need for all
       of you to be labeled
       as traitors.

Grog:
       We're already involved
       up to our necks!
       Besides, without you
       I'd just be a washed
       up old drunk...
       I want to do the right
       thing! I want to make my
       dead brother proud!

(The screens pans across as Dolan, Amon and Sara wander across the
beach and join the ever-increasing group of people.)

Sara:
       What's everyone
       doing out here?

Amon:
       Taking a midnight
       dip in the water?

Dolan:
       Ha ha. We were
       planning the same.

Clint:
       Ash, we're with you.
       You're our leader,
       just tell us what
       to do!

Ash:
       Ha! Well it looks like
       we're in it together!
       Let's go and save
       Magnus and the
       others!

Grog:
       Now you're talkin'!

Diego:
       It's about time!

(The screen pans down to show Kira standing behind a nearby tree, then
fades to black.)

======= CASTLE RUINS ==================================================

(Darkness has fallen. The group are gathered at the castle ruins where
they had fought not long ago.)

Sara:
       Magnus must be in the
       same dungeon we were in.
       So we should be able to
       just go back the same
       way we escaped.

Grog
       Whoops...
       I got bad news...
       We've been spotted by
       guard dogs!

(The camera swivels around to show a large group of menacing-looking
guard dogs with spiked armor on their backs. It zooms back to Ash.)

Ash:
       If those dogs raise
       a racket...
       It'll blow any chance of
       stealth we might've had!
       Let's take 'em out fast!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE OUTSIDE DUNGEON **

VICTORY = Conquest within 6 turns
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash or time up

=======================================================================

* AFTER 1 ROUND *

Ash:
       Make sure you cut
       off their retreat!

* AFTER 3 ROUNDS *

Ash:
       We're running out
       of time!

* VICTORY *

(Cut to a dark cell. Magnus is lying on the floor and Eleni is knelt
down beside him. Huxley stands by his head.)

Magnus:
       Oooohhh...

Eleni:
       Try to be strong,
       daddy!

Magnus:
       Eleni...
       I was a fool...
       I sent all my men
       to their deaths...
       For what?!

(Eleni shakes her head furiously.)

Eleni:
       It's not your fault!
       You were possessed!

Magnus:
       I wish that were so...
       The Magic Stone isn't
       good or evi, it is only
       pure power...
       It just magnifies the
       user's true nature.
       When I touched the
       stone and felt its powers,
       I was seduced by my
       own demons...
       I let the power consume
       me... It's all my fault.

Eleni:
       Why father? Why did
       you look for this stone?

Magnus:
       To resist Hel Spites.
       I'm certain that Hel is
       planning a coup d'etat in
       the near future.
       I knew that in order to
       stop him, I would need
       more power...
       I was desperate and that
       desperation led me down
       the wrong path...
       We must get the stone
       back! It holds a
       frightening secret...

(Huxley turns his head, then slowly walks over to the iron bars which
block their exit.)

Huxley:
       Someone's coming!

(He stands back as the bars slide down and Ash strides in. Eleni jumps
to her feet.)

Eleni:
       Ash!...
       How did you?...

Ash:
       Forget about it.
       Let's get outta here!

(As the screen fades to black, Ash and Huxley walk over to Magnus. It
fades back in to show the entire group and Magnus gathered outside of
the dungeon where they had fought just minutes ago.)

Magnus:
       Wait! We've got to get
       the Magic Stone!
       The person pulling
       Dolf's strings is
       Hel Spites!
       We can't let that madman
       get his hands on the
       stone!

Man's voice:
       So you finally caught
       on, did you?

(The camera swivels round as six Crimson Guard soldiers, Dolf and Hel
Spites come marching across the field and stop before Ash and Magnus.)

Hel:
       But you're too late
       now, Magnus!

Magnus:
       What do you mean?...

Dolf:
       I've got that stone you
       want right here!
       A grunt like you can't
       appreciate the true power
       of this stone.
       But I on the other
       hand...

Magnus:
       You pampered
       little poodle!...
       You knew what that stone
       was going to do to me,
       didn't you?!

Hel:
       You reap what you sow,
       General!
       You came here to betray
       me and you deserve what
       happens to you!

Ash:
       That means that...
       We were just part of
       your scheme to frame
       General Magnus?!

Dolf:
       Ho ho. Exactly!
       I'm disappointed in you,
       Ash. Your feelings led
       you the wrong way.
       Not that it would have
       mattered anyway...
       Let me introduce you to
       my beautiful young
       assistant.

(The camera rotates to show Kira walking towards the group without her
battle armor and bow.)

Ash:
       Kira!!

Clint:
       Kira...
       How could you?

Kira:
       ...............

Dolf:
       Thanks to her, I
       knew all your moves.
       Hahaha... Well, I think
       it's just about time for
       you to die.

Magnus:
       I won't allow that!

(Bright multi-coloured explosions errupt around Magnus' body and when
they die down he has transformed into his possessed monster self from
the castle ruins. He raises his arms and purple rays of energy fire
from his eyes at Dolf, who points his hands at Magnus, sending blue
rays in his direction. The rays clash between the two men, creating
bright blue spirals of burning energy. They are locked in this position
for about twenty seconds, the others watching powerless.)

Dolf:
       You still retain some
       power from the stone?!

Magnus:
       I...willl...stop...you!

Dolf:
       No, we're tearing a hole
       in the time-space fabric!

(With a mystifying roar, a dark blue warp hole grows from the point
where the rays meet. In the middle of the hole are two runic symbols,
one bronze and one blue, rotating and spinning randomly. They slowly
move towards Magnus.)

Magnus:
       Aaaaaaahhhhh!!!!!

(The warp hole reaches Magnus.)

Magnus:
       Iiiiyahhhh!!!

(Magnus is sucked into the hole.)

Ash:
       Wooooaaahhh!!!

(Ash is also sucked in.)

Grog:
       Ugh!
       What the!...

(Grog is next.)

Sara:
       Eeeeeeeehhhhh!!!

(Finally, Sara is sucked in. They disappear as the hole closes and the
runes vanish.)

Eleni:
       Daddy!!!...
       Ash!!!...

(Hel leans back and begins laughing.)

Hel:
       Heh heh heh...
       Ho ho ho
       Ha ha ha
       Hee hee hee!

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

ACT II: ISLAND OF MADNESS
                           END

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

After the disappearance of Ash and the others, it is announced that
General Magnus has been assassinated by an extremist faction within the
Security Forces. News that a national hero has fallen at the hands of
terrorists sends shockwaves through the country and most blame the
Domestic Security Agency which controls the Security Forces. This
results in the ouster of Renaldo Castille, Hel Spites' political arch
rival.

Defense Minister Hel Spites, highly praised for his quick handling of
the terrorist threat, is elected Prime Minister the following month.

In the name of national security, Hel requests emergency powers from
the Council, but as soon as he is granted those powers, his tyrannical
nature emerges. He abolishes the Council, creates a secret police and
establishes a privileged class.. Finally, he revives imperialism and
claims that he will place himself on the sacred and inviolable
Ishtarian imperial throne.

Realizing the danger, some citizens join anti-imperial movements, but
these are easily crushed by the Crimson Guard. It was the second coming
of the Dark Ages and terror reigned over all...

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

ACT III: ESCAPE TO TOMORROW

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

(As the screen fades in we see Ash and Grog standing on a very small
rocky island in a lake of molten lava. In the background Sara is
crouched down beside Magnus.)

Grog:
       Where in the heck
       are we?!

Ash:
       I don't think we're in
       Kansas anymore...

(The camera pans across to Sara and Magnus.)

Sara:
       Ash! Something's wrong
       with the General!

(Ash and Grog hurry over.)

Magnus:
       Oooohh...

Ash:
       General, hang in there!

Magnus:
       Ash... It's no good...
       It's the end for me...

Ash:
       General... No...

Magnus:
       I've stared death in the
       face all my life...
       I know what she looks
       like and I do not fear
       her cold embrace...

Ash:
       ...............

Magnus:
       I was raised in a poor
       farming village...
       I was going to lead the
       simple life, following in
       my father's footsteps...
       But then the Revolution
       came and our lives were
       thrown into turmoil.
       For country!...
       For ideals!...
       For liberty!...
       But however pretty the
       slogan, there's no such
       thing as a good war...
       They call me a hero, but
       I'm just a murderer with
       blood on his hands...

Ash:
       But think of the people
       you saved, like Eleni!

Magnus:
       Eleni....
       15 years ago, I found
       her wandering around
       the ruins of her town.
       Adopting her was my
       attempt to make
       restitution for my sins..
       Ash, don't make the
       same mistakes I
       made...
       You must stop Hel and
       Dolf! Return this land
       to its former greatness!
       ...I beg you, Ash...
       Retrieve the Magic
       Stone..........

Ash:
       General!
       General Magnus!!

(Magnus' body goes limp as the life fades from his soul. The screen
fades to black. When it fades back in, Ash, Grog and Sara and gathered
around a makeshift grave - two wooden sticks bound together to make a
cross.)

Grog:
       Too bad we had to bury
       him in this weird place.

(Sara looks around.)

Sara:
       Hmm... Something
       feels very wrong.

(The camera swoops around the tiny island as evil-looking flaming
skulls appear from the lava and surround them.)

Grog:
       What are these things?!

Ash:
       I don't know,
       but they're attacking!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE ON PLAIN OF SORROW **

VICTORY = Destruction of enemies
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* VICTORY *

(Ash, Sara and Grog are standing by Magnus' grave. A man approches from
behind them. He is wearing long black robes and has long white hair. In
his hand is a wooden staff.)

Mystery man:
       Aha. So this is why the
       spirits were so noisy...

Ash:
       Huh?...

(The camera spins round and shows the man from the front.)

Mystery man:
       You've destroyed the
       spirits? That was cruel.
       Those are the spirits of
       people who died young.
       They are harmless...

Grog:
       Harmless?!
       Are you crazy?
       Those things tried
       to bite our heads off!

Mystery man:
       They were drawn by the
       smell of blood.
       You people have the
       blood of many
       on your hands.

Ash:
       Who are you?

Mystery man:
       My name is Zohar and I
       am just as you see me.
       I have been exploring
       this strange land for
       some time.
       Just south of here is
       this land's only town.
       You should visit it.
       Good luck,
       strangers...

(The camera turns back as Zohar walks away.)

Grog:
       What a strange guy...

Sara:
       Zohar?...Where have I
       heard that name before?

Ash:
       In any case, let's go
       pay this town a visit.

======= REMOTE TOWN ===================================================

Grog:
       These houses are really
       old looking.

Sara:
       Not true. That house is
       ultra-modern!

Ash:
       You're both right.
       It's both old and new...

(Ash, Grog and Sara go to the tavern and speak to people, then leave.)

Grog:
       It looks like we might
       be stuck here...

Sara:
       A loophole in time...
       I've heard legends.
       The ship that was lost
       at sea and found 10 years
       later in the desert...
       Or the ancient princess
       who vanished while
       strolling in the garden.

Ash:
       But we've got to get back!
       We promised the General
       that we would stop Hel
       and get the stone back!

Zohar:
       Are you referring to
       the Magic Stone?

Ash:
       You're the guy
       from before!

Zohar:
       Yes...I am Zohar.
       If you don't mind,
       please tell me about
       this Magic Stone.
       Let's go to my home
       outside of town and
       talk of this...

(Fade to a very small house where the four people are gathered.)

Zohar:
       I see...
       You and your companions
       are trying to stop this
       man named Hel...
       But are you absolutely
       sure that's the right
       thing to do?
       Think about it. The
       generation before you
       gave up their lives to
       build an ideal society
       and what was the
       end result?
       We've let the Council
       turn into a den of thieves
       and liars!
       There will always be
       war, but by stopping Hel
       now, who is to say you
       won't be paving the way
       for someone even worse
       than him?!

(Ash, Grog and Sara bow their heads.)

Ash:
       Maybe you're right.

(There is a pause...)

Ash:
       But a brief
       peace is better
       than war!
       I can't sit and do
       nothing when I know that
       people are going to die!

Zohar:
       Hmmmm......
       I suppose it is the
       struggle that lends
       dignity to our lives...
       ...It's decided. I will
       help you in your brave
       mission.

       Zohar joined your party.

Ash:
       So how can we...?

Zohar:
       There's only one way to
       get back to your time.
       First we have to go back
       to the exact spot where
       you first arrived.

======= PLAIN OF SORROW ===============================================

(Ash, Grog, Sara and Zohar are gathered around Magnus' grave. There are
huge runic symbols on carved into the ground and four strange metallic
posts with red orbs on top in all four directions.)

Zohar:
       The preparations
       are complete...
       The space-time warp you
       entered was caused by a
       powerful magic source.
       This type of force
       always creates a
       counter-force.
       These Mage Towers will
       gather the force and
       recreate the warp!

(Sara looks around.)

Sara:
       I sense something!...

(The camera zooms out and more flaming skulls appear, surrounding the
group.)

Grog:
       Not these creeps again!

Zohar:
       Those spirits will drain
       the tower's energy!
       I suppose we have no
       choice! We must protect
       the towers!
       If this doesn't work
       now, you'll never
       get back home!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE ON PLAIN OF SORROW **

VICTORY = Defend towers for 5 turns
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash or towers

=======================================================================

* EVERY ROUND *

(Any spirits which have been killed previously are resurrected in the
corners of the battlefield.)

* AFTER 2 ROUNDS *

Ash:
       When will the warp
       open up?

Zohar:
       Just a little longer!

* AFTER 1 TOWER HAS BEEN DESTROYED *

Ash:
       Things are looking grim.

* AFTER 2 TOWERS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED *

Ash:
       They're destroying
       the towers!

* AFTER 3 TOWERS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED *

Ash:
       We must protect the
       last Mage Tower!

* AFTER 4 TOWERS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED *

Ash:
       Damn! They've
       destroyed them all!

(Defeat.)

* VICTORY *

(The four characters are standing around the grave.)

Zohar:
       The warp will open any
       minute now!

(The blue and bronze runes appears just like before and grow.)

Grog:
       There it is!

Ash:
       Everyone jump in!

(They jump into the middle of the warp and are shrunk to invisible
specks. The warp closes behind them, leaving Magnus' grave alone in the
Plains of Sorrow.)

======= TERASU VILLAGE =================================================

(Fade to a large grassy area. There is a river with a bridge and a
small building on top of a hill. At the bottom of the hill are lots of
men in armor with weapons. One of them is wearing pink (yes, pink)
armor. He is quite fat and holds a large cutlass. It is Zoot Gach from
the very beginning of the game.)

Zoot:
       Give up, traitors!
       You're surrounded!

(At the top of the hill next to the building we see Diego, Dolan, Clive
Beckett and Huxley.)

Diego:
       Zoot Gach, you
       slimebag!
       You may work for the
       Empire now, but you're
       still just a petty thief!

Huxley:
       The Empire has hired
       criminals to swell the
       ranks of the army. Now
       these scoundrels steal
       from the innocent under
       the protection of the
       Empire. 'Tis a sad sight
       to behold.

Clive:
       And I was foolish enough
       to trust Dolf...

Dolan:
       Don't blame yourself!
       We all fell for it!

Zoot:
       What's the delay!
       The villagers in this
       area are all rebel
       sympathizers anyway!
       Torch it! We'll burn
       all these villages to
       the ground!

Dolan:
       Not while I'm alive
       you won't!

Diego:
       That's double for me!

Clive:
       We don't stand
       a chance!...
       But let's take as many
       of them with us
       as we can!

(Pan to the other side of the bridge where the warp is just closing.
Sara, Grog, Ash and Zohar are standing there.)

Ash:
       Where are we?

Grog:
       It looks like we
       made it back!

Diego:
       I can't believe it!!!
       It's Ash!!!

Clive:
       It can't be!...
       Is it really you?!

Ash:
       Clive, my friend!
       Diego!

Zoot:
       What the!! Where did they
       come from?

Diego:
       Haha! Now we can
       turn things around!
       Ash, they're Hel's boys!
       Let's show 'em the
       old crunch play!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE IN TERASU VILLAGE **

VICTORY = Destruction of enemies
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

*NOTE*
For this battle Clive is on the player's side but cannot be controlled.

=======================================================================

* WHEN ZOOT GACH IS KILLED *

Zoot:
       Gaaaach!

* VICTORY *

(The group are stood beside the river.)

Ash:
       Commander...
       Clive. Well met!

Clive:
       Ash! Beyond hope...
       But where have you
       been these past
       3 miserable years!

Grog:
       3 years! We've only
       been gone 1 day!

Zohar:
       The truth is we're lucky
       to have come this close!
       We might have easily
       been off by 20 years
       or more!

Sara:
       It can't be true...

Clive:
       Let's go back to the
       village and talk it out!

(Fade to the inside of a small building with a large wooden table in
the middle. Ash, Diego, Dolan and Clive are stood around it.)

Ash:
       So that's what happened
       while I've been gone...

Clive:
       Many good people want to
       resist Emperor Hel...
       But all of their leaders
       have been either
       executed or exiled.
       If only we could bring
       everyone under the same
       banner...

Ash:
       Let's do it!!
       We'll set off some fire-
       works that will rouse the
       resistance from sleep!

Diego:
       Fireworks, huh?
       What's the plan?

Ash:
       We'll storm the Imperial
       prison!

Clive:
       The one that they brag
       is impenetrable?!

(Dolan nods.)

Dolan:
       It would be a great
       victory for the rebels!
       That's where they hold
       the political prisoners.
       If we could free them,
       we might finally be able
       to organize ourselves.

Diego:
       Clint, Eleni and Amon
       are being held their too!
       It's perfect.
       Two birds with
       one stone!

Dolan:
       I think we should
       try it.

(They all nod.)

Ash:
       I'll lead the troops
       during the actual attack.
       Clive, I want you to
       start trying to galvanize
       the resistance.

Clive:
       I understand.

Diego:
       Things are just starting
       to get interesting!

======= BASIL GATE =====================================================

Dolan:
       We've got to pass here
       to reach the prison.

(Pan to the other side of the gate where numerous soldiers and monsters
are waiting.)

Sara:
       They're not going to
       just let us pass...

Ash:
       They're not expecting us
       so let's hit 'em hard!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE AT BASIL GATE **

VICTORY = Destruction of enemies
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* VICTORY *

(Fade to a palace room with a long table and valuable-looking ornaments.
At the head of the table is Hel Spites. Also at the table are Dolf,
Kane and three other men.)

Hel:
       Dolf,
       fill everyone in.

Dolf:
       First take a look at this.

(The camera swivels round as Dolf takes a jar from his cloak. Inside the
jar on a rich velvet cushion is the Magic Stone.)

Dolf:
       As you can see, this is
       the Magic Stone that has
       everyone so excited.
       The Empire's greatest
       scientific minds have
       been studying this stone.
       They found that this
       stone is from when the
       universe was born!
       It contains a spark of
       the original
       Flames of Judgment!

Financier:
       The Flames of Judgment?
       Are you insane?

Dolf:
       No. It's the same power
       that we've all heard of.
       The power that brought
       this world to the very
       edge of destruction!

Financier:
       Don't make me laugh!
       I admit that the stone
       is unusual. But I don't
       believe that it has the
       power to evaporate
       entire cities or destroy
       the world!

Dolf:
       You're right. Currently
       something called the
       Royal Ring is keeping
       its true power in check.

Financier:
       The Royal Ring?...

Dolf:
       Remember your history.
       Toroah saved the world
       by sealing the Flames of
       Judgment with a ring.
       This ring was passed on
       to his descendants along
       with a holy command.
       They were to found a
       country to protect this
       holy ring at all costs.
       This was the Holy Ashah
       Dynasty's task! But at
       some point they forgot.
       18 years ago when the
       royal family was cast
       down, the ring was lost.

Kane:
       So you want us to find
       this ring, huh?
       Well I don't like it!
       The Crimson Guard are
       all the power we need
       to rule this country!

Hel:
       Kane, listen to me for
       a minute.
       Oppressing the people is
       easy, but ruling them is
       a different thing.
       Kane, you and I are
       strong. We make our own
       path in life. But most
       people are weak, relying
       on the power of religion
       or government to protect
       them. These weaklings
       need symbols to follow.
       What better symbol to
       rule the people then the
       Flames of Judgment?
       It's time for us to
       unify this continent
       under one banner!
       We must find the Royal
       Ring. Search this land
       from high to low!

(Gradually fade to Kira alone in another palace room, unarmed.)

Kira:
       Clint...

Dolf:
       What are you feeling
       sad about, Kira?

(Dolf approaches.)

Kira:
       Oh!... Master Dolf...

(Dolf walks closer to Kira.)

Dolf:
       You still feel bad about
       betraying your friends?

Kira:
       No.....

Dolf:
       Hmmm... I wonder.
       I wonder if you have
       what it takes to get
       your revenge.
       Have you forgotten
       what they did to
       your family?

Kira:
       Of course I haven't
       forgotten...

Dolf:
       Kira, I know exactly
       how you feel...
       But people must realize
       what's happening
       in this country.
       Hel and his minions are
       sacrificing countless
       innocents and for what?
       All to pursue his
       insane goal of
       world domination.

Kira:
       !!!...............

Dolf:
       I'll make my move soon.
       I need your support!

Kira:
       I'll help, Master Dolf.

(Kira walks over to the double doors, opens them and leaves. Dolf steps
over to the window and waits for a moment. Suddenly, a figure in black
and gold armor warps in. He wears a metallic helmet which shows only
his eyes, nose and mouth and holds a staff with a skull on top.)

Xeno:
       Dangerous my lord...

Dolf:
       Eh?!
       Xeno!!...

Xeno:
       You put too much
       trust in that girl!

Dolf:
       Take care how you
       speak to me!

Xeno:
       Forgive me...

(Xeno bows to Dolf.)

Dolf:
       But as long as you
       mention it...
       I'd like you to keep an
       eye on her for a while.

(Xeno straightens up.)

Xeno:
       It shall be as
       you command.

(Xeno warps away and Dolf is alone again.)

Dolf:
       ...............

======= REED HIGHWAY ===================================================

(The group are all assembled in the middle of the road. Diego runs
towards them.)

Diego:
       We've got trouble, Ash!
       An enemy patrol
       is heading this way!

(Pan to further up the road where a group of imperial soldiers are, lead
by Lando.)

Ash:
       If they spot us we lose
       the element of surprise.

Zohar:
       Once they see the gate,
       they'll know anyway.

Dolan:
       In either case, we can't
       let them leave here...

Ash:
       Hide behind the trees.
       If we move, they'll
       notice us and
       flee for sure.
       Wait until the time is
       right and hit 'em with
       everything you got!

(The group split up to opposite sides of the highway and hide in amongst
the trees. Huxley runs further down the road to the switch controlling
a large bridge.)

=======================================================================

** BATTLE AT REED HIGHWAY **

VICTORY = Destruction of enemies
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash / Enemy escape

=======================================================================

* AFTER 1 TURN *

Ash:
       Wait until they're a
       little closer...

* AFTER 2 TURNS *

Ash:
       ...............

* AFTER 3 TURNS *

Ash:
       Just a tiny bit
       longer...

* WHEN THE PLAYERS MOVE ANY OF THE UNITS *

Lando:
       What are rebels
       doing around here?!
       They can't be planning
       to attack the prison,
       can they?!
       Somebody! Get away
       from here fast and
       warn the others!

(All of Lando's units retreat.)

* WHEN LANDO IS KILLED *

Lando:
       Wahhh!...
       Kane, avenge me!...

======= PRISON FORTRESS ================================================

(Inside the prison Clint is locked in a cell with another short, plump,
balding man with funny little glasses. Two jailers approaching with
Count Claymore between them. They open the cell door and push him
inside.)

Jailer:
       I've got a new friend
       for ya! Enjoy!

(The jailer kicks Claymore in the back and he collapses in the cell on
the floor. Clint and the other man rush over to him.)

Clint:
       Hang in there,
       old man!

Count Claymore:
       Ooohhhh.....

Darius: (the other man)
       Horrible... Treating an
       old man like that...

Count Claymore:
       Where...
       Where am I?

Darius:
       The dungeon. Don't
       worry... we're friendly.
       My name is Darius.
       I'm a tinkerer by trade.
       I quarreled with a
       soldier... Next thing I
       know I'm in here.
       The big guy here calls
       himself Clint...

Clint:
       !!... I know you.
       You're Count Claymore.

Darius:
       You two know
       each other?

Count Claymore:
       Yes. But I'm sorry, I
       don't...

Clint:
       The riot in the
       Dover District...

Count Claymore:
       Oh yes. From the
       Security Forces.

Clint:
       But what have you done
       to be beaten like this?

Count Claymore:
       They're frantically
       searching...
       Searching for the
       Royal Ring...

Clint:
       The Royal Ring?

Count Claymore:
       It has the power to
       tame the Magic Stone.

Clint:
       Magic Stone? Please tell
       me what you know!

(Fade to black. When the screen fades back in Claymore has been propped
against one of the walls.)

Clint:
       So that's the history of
       the Magic Stone...

Count Claymore:
       I truly don't know where
       the ring is either.
       But it must not be used
       for evil or it will be
       the end of the world!

(Darius turns his head to the cell gate. He walks over and peers down
the corridor.)

Darius:
       Footsteps!..
       The jailer again?

(Clint rises to his feet as Kira approaches, opens the gate and enters.)

Clint:
       You!!...

Kira:
       Clint... They're planning
       to execute you tomorrow!

(She pulls a set of keys out from behind her back.)

Kira:
       Here are the keys.
       I have weapons outside.
       Take me with you!

(Kira throws the keys on to the floor in the middle of the cell.)

Clint:
       Why should I
       trust you?

Kira:
       I'm sorry... I couldn't
       betray Dolf...
       I understand if you
       despise me, but please
       don't die!

(She walks away.)

Clint:
       Kira!!...

Darius:
       You'd better run while
       you still can!!
       By the way,
       I think I'll come
       with you!

       Darius joined your party.

Clint:
       Count... You're
       coming too.

Count Claymore:
       It's no good...
       I can't make it...
       I'll be fine. They
       won't kill me until they
       find the Royal Ring.

Clint:
       Sorry Count... We'll
       come back for you!

(Clint takes the set of keys and leaves, closely followed by Darius.
Fade to a network of corridors in the Prison Fortress. Clint and Darius
have equipped themselves with weapons and armor and have met up with
Eleni and Amon.)

Amon:
       They were gonna
       kill us, huh?
       Thanks for the
       rescue, Clint!

Eleni:
       But how did you
       get the keys?

Clint:
       I'll tell you after we
       get out of here!

Darius:
       Listen to me
       carefully!...
       Don't bother hittin'
       these juggernauts from
       the front or side.
       Ya have to circle 'round
       and attack their backs!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE INSIDE PRISON FORTRESS **

VICTORY = Destruction of enemies
DEFEAT  = Death of Clint

=======================================================================

* VICTORY *

(Cut to a courtyard near the gate of the Prison Fortress. Clint,
Darius, Amon and Eleni have escaped but are surrounded by soldiers and
seem to be largely outnumbered.)

Clint:
       Oh oh!
       Where are we?

(The camera pans to show, up on the battlements, a large figure in
black robes with a bald head. He is carrying a rope with a scythe on
the end. He is Dumas.)

Dumas:
       You are stalwart indeed
       to escape my dungeon!
       If you were wise, you
       would have stayed below
       and died quietly.
       Now you shall die a
       less pleasant death!!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE OUTSIDE PRISON FORTRESS **

VICTORY = Defeat of Dumas
DEFEAT  = Death of Clint

=======================================================================

* AFTER 1 TURN *

Dumas:
       Ha... Slay them all!!!

(Pan to the other side of the courtyard where a jailer has appeared.)

Jailer:
       Lord Dumas!!!...
       The rebels!!!

Dumas:
       Speak up!

(The jailer is out of sight but we hear swords slashing and the cries
of men.)

Jailer:
       Gwahkkkk!!!

(The camera pans back to where the jailer was and we just see the last
drops of blood splash on the floor. Ash, Dolan, Diego, Huxley, Grog,
Zohar and Sara have arrived and are up on the courtyard walls!)

Ash:
       We're taking over
       this prison!
       Lay down your
       arms or die!!

Clint:
       I can't believe it!
       It's Ash!

Ash:
       Hold on Clint!
       We're coming!

Dumas:
       Impudent whelp!...
       You will beg to die!

* VICTORY *

Dumas:
       Gwahkkkk!!!

(The group are assembled at the prison gate.)

Clint:
       Ash, you're alive!

Ash:
       My words exactly,
       Clint.

Darius:
       Claymore and the other
       prisoners are free now!

Huxley:
       I know that low-class
       voice... Darius!!

Darius:
       Well if it isn't
       old man Hobbes!

(Darius walks over to Huxley.)

Ash:
       Are you two friends?

Huxley:
       Hardly. We are simply
       from the same village.
       He was always slapping
       together some piece of
       junk and making trouble.

Darius:
       Look who's talking?
       This guy's famous for the
       time he was doing healing
       experiments in town.
       He accidentally turned a
       farmer's pig into a
       chicken. Ha ha!

(Huxley goes red in the face and begins to shake his staff at Darius.)

Huxley:
       Well you burned down
       the schoolhouse!

Diego:
       C'mon you two,
       cut it out already!

Dolan:
       It looks like our plan
       was a great success!

Ash:
       But this is only
       the first step.
       The real war with the
       Empire starts from
       this point on!

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

ACT III: ESCAPE TO TOMORROW
                           END

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

News of the fall of the supposedly impregnable prison spreads quickly
throughout all of Ishtaria and is a tremendous shock to the imperial
government who believed themselves unassailable.

Upon hearing this news, the Resistance movement is revitalized. They
begin staging large revolts throughout the land and succeed in
liberating the southern region.

In the meantime, Ash and his companions hold a meeting with Clive
Beckett who is acting as a pipeline to the Resistance.

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

ACT IV: THE SUCCESSOR

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

(Fade in to a meeting room. Clive, Ash, Clint, Eleni, Diego and Dolan
are seated around a table.)

Eleni:
       So it's true...
       Daddy really is...

Ash:
       Eleni, I'm...

Eleni:
       I'm all right, Ash.
       I was ready for it...

(She pushes back her chair, walks over to the door and closes her eyes.)

Eleni:
       ...Excuse me.
       I think I need some
       fresh air...

(She leaves the room. Ash runs to the door.)

Clive:
       Let her be alone for
       a while...
       There are some things
       we need to face
       by ourselves...

Ash:
       I understand...

(The camera swivels round as Ash takes his seat again.)

Dolan:
       Clive, how goes the
       resistance movement?

Clive:
       Very well, thanks to
       you people.
       The region of Ishtaria
       between the Tarre River
       has been liberated.

Clive:
       That's fantastic!

Clive:
       But things are going to
       get much harder...
       The north has many
       strongholds which will
       now be heavily guarded.
       Also, the Empire is
       courting the support of
       the neighboring country
       of Urdu in exchange for
       granting them the
       southern region.
       If that happens, we'll
       be forced to fight on
       two fronts...

Ash:
       We mustn't let that
       happen...

Clive:
       There's another issue
       which must be dealt with.
       The Empire is searching
       for the Royal Ring.
       If they find it, their
       power will be
       unstoppable.
       Go to Kerachi. There's
       an informant there for
       you to meet.
       Find the Royal Ring
       before the Empire
       does.

Diego:
       Kerachi... Damn it!

(Diego turns his head away.)

Clint:
       What's wrong, Diego?

(Diego turns his head back, smiling as usual.)

Diego:
       Huh?... No,
       it's nothing...

(Fade to black. When the screen fades back in we see Clive heading
across a town square dressed in brown robes with a sword and shield.)

Ash:
       Commander!

(Clive stops and turns round.)

Clive:
       Oh... Ash!

(Ash appears and walks over to Clive.)

Ash:
       Leaving already?

Clive:
       I'm going to meet with a
       rebel group in the east.

Ash:
       I... I'm afraid I've
       cursed you too, Clive.

Clive:
       What are you talking
       about, Ash!

Ash:
       This may not make any
       sense to you, but...
       I feel like somehow my
       traitor's blood has
       doomed you all...
       The acorn never falls
       far from the oak
       they say...

Clive:
       Ash...
       There's something very
       important that I need
       to tell you...

Diego:
       So there you all are!

(Diego and Clint approach.)

Diego:
       You were gonna leave
       without a word!

Clive:
       I didn't want to
       disturb you all...

Clint:
       Be careful, commander.

Clive:
       Thank you, Clint.

Ash:
       Clive...

Clive:
       Ash...
       Believe in yourself!
       Believe in your friends!
       You're no traitor!

* WHEN THEY LEAVE KHANOS CITY *

Darius:
       Ash, they've surrounded
       the town!

Ash:
       What?!

(Cut to a town scene. Kane and three Crimson Knights are gathered in
one corner of the town.)

Kane:
       Ash! So you're alive!

(The camera pans across the town past a bridge to where the entire
group has gathered.)

Ash:
       Kane!!.....

(Pan to another corner of the town. Here a female archer in Crimson
Guard clothing is waiting with three more knights.)

Sabina:
       These are the fools that
       destroyed the prison?

(Pan once again to the next corner. There is a man in large armor with
a huge battle hammer.)

Dallas:
       They look like
       puny weaklings!

(Finally to the last corner where a punk man is waiting with claws.)

Kurtz:
       They're no match for
       the Crimson Leaders!

Kane:
       Don't forget they
       killed Lando!!

Sabina:
       Lando was always the
       weakest of us...
       Don't worry. We'll make
       certain he doesn't leave
       here alive.

Sara:
       The Crimson Leaders
       are all here!!...

Dolan:
       We're not ready to take
       all of them on!

Ash:
       We've got to break
       out of this trap...
       Everybody! Concentrate
       on getting out of here!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE IN KHANOS CITY **

VICTORY = Arrival at village exit
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* IF KANE IS DEFEATED *

Kane:
       You got lucky, punk!
       But I'll be back!

* IF KURTZ IS DEFEATED *

Kurtz:
       Impressive! But I will
       see you again!

* IF SABINA IS DEFEATED *

Sabina:
       I underestimated you!
       I've got to fall back.

< During the transcription process I did not manage to defeat Dallas or
Kane. If anyone finds out their death quotes please send them to me at
[email protected] >

* VICTORY *

(Cut to the room where Dolf met Xeno before. Dolf is staring out of the
window and Kira is stood behind him.)

Kira:
       You called Master Dolf?

Dolf:
       A traitor was involved
       in the prison attack...

Kira:
       Yes... I heard.

Dolf:
       Just before the attack,
       there was a riot inside.
       Attacked from the inside
       and the outside, the
       prison couldn't stand.
       One more thing... The
       rioters got weapons and
       the keys from someone!
       You wouldn't know
       anything about it,
       would you?

Kira:
       No... Not a thing.

(The camera spins around and Xeno warps in.)

Xeno:
       Wa ha hah! You mustn't
       tell lies, little girl!

(Kira turns in shock.)

Kira:
       Xeno Calimani,
       you villain!

Xeno:
       I was watching when you
       brought Clint the keys!

Kira:
       You had me followed?!!

Dolf:
       I'm sorry Kira.
       I thought that I could
       trust you, but you
       betrayed me.
       Take her away.

(Two guards enter the room, take Kira and lead her away. Xeno steps
towards Dolf.)

Xeno:
       A wise decision...

Dolf:
       You haven't forgotten
       your promise I hope.
       I'm manipulating Hel in
       order to rekindle the
       Flames of Judgment.
       And you are sworn to aid
       me in that pursuit.

Xeno:
       I have not forgotten
       for a moment.

Dolf:
       Good. I'll hold
       you to it.
       It has come time to
       dispose of this annoying
       pest Ash Lambert.
       I want you to personally
       see that it is taken
       care of.

Xeno:
       As you wish.

(Xeno disappears.)

======= GREAT MASAI FOREST ============================================

Ash:
       The port of Kerachi is
       just past this forest.

Diego:
       Do we really have to
       go to Kerachi?
       Maybe we should be
       helping on the
       southern front.

Ash:
       We've already discussed
       our role with Clive.
       What is your problem
       lately Diego?!

Diego:
       I don't know what you're
       talking about.

Huxley:
       I sense an
       evil presence.

(The camera rotates as Xeno warps in at the top of a hill.)

Xeno:
       Ho ho.
       So you are the rebels!
       You have been quite a
       nuisance to us.
       Today you must die.

Grog:
       Who is that guy?

Zohar:
       Xeno Calimani. I've
       been expecting you!

Xeno:
       Master Zohar!!...

Ash:
       ?!.......

Zohar:
       You are searching for
       the Magic Stone...
       Don't you know that its
       power would consume what
       is left of your soul?

Xeno:
       ...Ha...ha ha ha...
       You'll never change...
       Honest and good...
       and inflexible as a
       blind goat!

(Zohar raises his fist in anger.)

Zohar:
       Silence! You're nothing
       but a servant of hell!
       I did not return to this
       world to allow you to
       destroy it!

Xeno:
       You no longer have the
       power to stop me!
       ...I summon forth the
       darkness from this
       ancient forest!!...
       Dark Forest,
       I summon thee!!!

(The camera zooms in on Xeno as white rays of energy shoot into his
body. A bronze rune symbol appears, then a beam of light shines
directly down upon him and other runes float upwards. Finally, the
light fades and monsters warp into the forest around him.)

Darius:
       What are these
       creatures!!

Xeno:
       Hee hee hee.
       I couldn't stand to see
       my old mentor eaten so I
       will bid thee farewell!

(Xeno disappears into thin air.)

Zohar:
       Xeno, wait!!...

Ash:
       Zohar, who is that guy?

Zohar:
       No time for
       explanations now!!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE IN GREAT MASAI FOREST **

VICTORY = Destruction of enemies
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* VICTORY *

(The group are assembled in the Masai Forest.)

Ash:
       That strange man called
       you his mentor...

Zohar:
       Yes, he was my student.
       Over 300 years ago.

Ash:
       300 years ago!!
       Just who are you?!

Zohar:
       My true name is
       Zohar Abu Sa'id.

Sara:
       Did you say
       Zohar Abu Sa'id!
       Anyone who dabbles in
       the Arcana has heard of
       Zohar the Aloof!!

Zohar:
       I had forgotten that
       particular nickname...
       As he said, I am no
       longer as powerful
       as I once was.
       Due to the shock from
       the time warp that
       he created.

Dolan:
       Please continue.

Zohar:
       Xeno was my best and
       brightest pupil.
       But at some point, he
       abandoned his principals
       in pursuit of power.
       He dreamed of one day
       rekindling the
       Flames of Judgment.
       I tried to stop him but
       he wouldn't listen and
       cast a spell on me.
       During our struggle, a
       time-warp was created
       and I fell in...
       But I always knew that
       we would meet again...

Ash:
       I see now...
       Xeno is why the Empire
       wants to rekindle the
       Flames of Judgment.

Zohar:
       It seems a safe
       assumption.
       I'm partly responsible
       for Xeno! I'll stop
       him or die trying!
</pre><pre id="faqspan-3">
======= TRADE CITY KERACHI ============================================

Clint:
       So who's this person
       we're supposed to meet?

Ash:
       An important merchant
       named Carlo Lisbon.

Diego:
       Carlo Lisbon! We
       can't trust that guy!

Ash:
       What are you talking
       about, Diego?
       Carlo has been a
       big financial supporter
       of the rebellion.

Diego:
       He's trying to win our
       favor in case we succeed.
       He's probably giving
       just as much money to the
       Empire I bet.

Ash:
       Where do you get these
       crazy ideas?
       In any case, let's pay a
       visit to Carlo's mansion.

Diego:
       ...............

(In Carlo's mansion the group are all gathered in the room.)

Carlo:
       Thank you for coming.
       I'm Carlo Lisbon.

Ash:
       Ash Lambert.

Carlo:
       I've been searching for
       your lost ring.
       One of my operatives is
       about to finalize its
       purchase.
       Let's wait here until
       the deal is concluded.

Ash:
       Thank you very much.

(They all start to leave the room. Soon it is just Ash, Carlo, Diego,
Eleni and Huxley left. Diego turns to leave but Carlo rushes forward.)

Carlo:
       Wait!...
       Is that Diego?!

Diego:
       Damn...

Carlo:
       You've come back to
       succeed me!!

Ash:
       Huh?.....

Diego:
       Don't be ridiculous!
       I told you 7 years ago
       that I have nothing to
       do with you!
       My name is
       Diego Renault now!

(Diego leaves.)

Carlo:
       Diego, my son...

(Fade to black, then fade in to Diego standing out on a balcony. Soft,
sad music is playing. Ash approaches.)

Ash:
       Diego...

Diego:
       I didn't want you
       all to see that.

Ash:
       So you're really the
       heir to this estate?

Diego:
       I've always despised
       my father...
       All he ever cared about
       was money. He ignored
       mother and me.
       7 years ago I left here
       and decided to give up
       the Lisbon family name.

Ash:
       So that's the story...

(Eleni appears.)

Eleni:
       So this is where you
       were, Ash.
       Carlo wants you...
       Some news about the
       ring, I think...

(Fade back to the room in the mansion where the group are gathered
again but this time without Diego.)

Carlo:
       I've confirmed that it
       is the Royal Ring.
       After the Revolution, the
       ring wound up with a well
       known coin collector.
       I've completed the
       negotiations with
       this man.
       The exchange will be
       tonight at a warehouse
       in Old Town.
       I want you to go
       and make the exchange.

Ash:
       I understand. The
       warehouse in Old Town.

(When Ash and his companions move to the warehouse we see them
assembled inside. There are strange and eerie whooshing noises.)

Ash:
       Something's wrong!
       Where are they?!
       Huh?

(The camera pans around as skeletons and golems appear.)

Ash:
       Monsters!
       What the...!

Darius:
       Here they come and
       they look pissed!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE IN KERACHI WAREHOUSE **

VICTORY = Destruction of enemies
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* VICTORY *

Ash:
       I wonder if we
       were set up?

(The camera pans to the other side of the warehouse. Xeno warps in.)

Xeno:
       Ha! Even you could
       figure that out.
       Did you really think it
       would be so easy?

(Carlo approaches Xeno and stands beside him.)

Ash:
       Xeno!!
       ...And Carlo!!!

Diego:
       I knew you were
       a turncoat!

Carlo:
       Son, you're not cut out
       for the warrior's life.
       Come home and take over
       the family business.

Diego:
       The hell I will!

(A huge circle of flames ignites around the group with a boom.)

Diego:
       Yipes!

Xeno:
       Ha ha ha!
       You're all finished now!
       They'll be nothing left
       but blackened and
       charred bones!

Carlo:
       Wait a minute! That's
       not what we agreed to!
       You said that you'd
       spare my son's life!

Xeno:
       Silence! Does an eagle
       bargain with a sparrow!

Ash:
       Damn!
       It can't end like this!

Xeno:
       Ha! Famous last words,
       Ash Lambert!

Carlo:
       Leave them alone!!

(Carlo charges at Xeno but Xeno simply raises his arm and hits Carlo
in the face, knocking him to the ground.)

Xeno:
       Are you insane!...
       Huh? He interrupted
       my spell!

(The flames diminish.)

Ash:
       Yes! The ring of fire
       disappeared!

Xeno:
       Too bad. We'll see each
       other again!

(Xeno vanishes. Diego and Huxley run over to Carlo.)

Diego:
       Father!
       Speak to me!

Carlo:
       Ooohhh...

Huxley:
       He'll be all right.
       'Tis a surface wound.

(Fade to a small room. Carlo is laying in a bed and Diego is sat beside
him on a chair. Carlo opens his eyes and turns his head towards Diego.)

Carlo:
       Oh... Where am I?

Diego:
       Good... I was getting
       worried about you.

Carlo:
       You're the ugliest nurse
       I've ever seen!

Diego:
       Ha ha. I see you're
       feeling yourself again.

(Diego pushes the chair back and starts to walk away.)

Carlo:
       Diego, wait! I have
       to apologize.

Diego:
       Dad... I...

Carlo:
       You have no idea how
       poor my family was!
       My brother died from a
       cold because we couldn't
       keep the house warm.

(There is a pause, and Carlo looks up at the ceiling.)

Carlo:
       And I realized that if
       we only had money,
       he would still be alive.
       Ever since then, I've
       been as you know me.
       A heartless merchant...
       I won't try to stop you
       anymore! Go where your
       dreams take you!...

Diego:
       Father...

(Ash enters.)

Ash:
       Diego, we got a hot tip
       about the ring!!
       The ring has already
       been sold to an agent of
       the Empire!
       They're taking it back to
       Shumeria by train, but we
       can still catch them!

(Carlo turns his head away.)

Carlo:
       Diego, go with him!

Diego:
       Ummm....
       Father, when it's all
       over, I'll come back.
       Stay well until then.

(Diego and Ash leave. Carlo turns his head back and closes his eyes.)


======= MAGIC TRAIN====================================================

(Dallas is stood on the front carriage with various soldiers on each
one. At the back is Ash and his group.)

Ash:
       This train is made up of
       these linked cars.
       I wonder which one
       the ring is on.

Zohar:
       I feel its power coming
       from the front car!

Dallas:
       You rebel scum!!
       You want the ring, huh?
       Release the back cars
       before they can
       reach here!

Trooper:
       But sir, we don't
       have time...

Dallas:
       Then you better shut up
       and get started now!!!

Ash:
       If they release the
       cars we're lost!
       Everyone rush to
       the front car!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE ON MAGIC TRAIN **

VICTORY = Defeat of Dallas
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* AFTER 2 TURNS *

Trooper:
       Ready to release car #1!

Dallas:
       Good. Do it!

(The rear car is disconnected and drifts away from the main body of the
train.)

* AFTER 5 TURNS *

Trooper:
       Ready to release car #2!

Dallas:
       Release it you fool!

(The next car is disconnected and drifts away from the main body of the
train.)

* AFTER 5 TURNS *

Trooper:
       Releasing car #3!

Dallas:
       Hurry!

(The next car is disconnected and drifts away from the main body of the
train.)

* VICTORY *

Dallas:
       Long live the empire!

(Cut to the group on the front carriage of the train by a large box.)

Ash:
       So this is the
       royal ring!
       It looks just like an
       ordinary ring to me...

Zohar:
       Mind if I take a look?
       Huh? What the...?

Xeno:
       Ha ha! That ring is
       wasted on you fools!

(Xeno teleports in front of them, but appears semi-transparent.)

Ash:
       Xeno!!

Zohar:
       Wait! It's an illusion!
       He's not really here!

Xeno:
       Exactly! But let's
       talk terms...
       If you give me the ring,
       I will return this
       friend of yours...

(A projection of Kira appears next to Xeno, tied to a large stake.)

Clive:
       Kira!!

Xeno:
       Of course she's already
       betrayed you once...
       so it may be an unfair
       trade. We have no more
       use for her however...
       If you don't wish to
       trade, we will be happy
       to execute her...
       If you're not at Fort
       Dain to make the trade by
       tomorrow, she will die!

(Both illusions disappear.)

Zohar:
       The dirty scum...
       What do we do, Ash?

Ash:
       It's true that she
       betrayed us...
       But now she's just a
       desperate woman in
       need of help.
       If we let her die then
       we'll lose a little piece
       of our own souls!

Diego:
       It's decided!

Ash:
       To Fort Dain!
       To save Kira!

======= FORT DAIN =====================================================

(The group arrives at a hill with an odd contraption at the top. Two
posts protrude from the group with a platform suspended by chains in
the middle. Beneath the platform is a pit of hot lava and stood on the
platform is Kira. Xeno stands beside the contraption, surrounded by
various monsters and minions.)

Xeno:
       Kind of you to come.

Clint:
       Kira!

Kira:
       Clint, don't give them
       the Royal Ring!...

Xeno:
       But if you don't, Kira
       will take a lava bath!

Ash:
       We'll give you the ring!
       Just let her go!

Xeno:
       Hand over the ring to my
       little friend here.

(A skeleton soldier walks over to Ash, takes the Ring and returns to
where Xeno is waiting.)

Xeno:
       Ha! The Ring!
       And now the hostage...

(As the camera pans up to Kira, the platform drops a couple of feet
towards the lava.)

Xeno:
       Whoops!...
       Uh oh. I seem to have
       lost the key to stop
       this thing...

Ash:
       What?

Xeno:
       So sorry...
       Oh well, I did my best.
       Farewell, fool!

(Xeno teleports away.)

Clint:
       That evil rat!

Ash:
       We've got to destroy
       the death device!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE AT FORT DAIN **

VICTORY = Destroy devices in 8 turns
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash or Kira

=======================================================================

* AFTER EVERY TURN*

(The platform drops a little bit closer to the lava.)

* VICTORY *
(The group assemble round the base of the hill. Kira is knelt on the
ground amongst them.)

Kira:
       I don't deserve to live...
       You traded something
       like the Royal Ring for
       my miserable life!

Clint:
       But we couldn't let
       you die.
       If we let you die, we
       wouldn't be any different
       than Hel.
       Besides, everyone
       deserves a chance to
       redeem themselves.

Kira:
       Are you saying I can
       start over?

Clint:
       Of course you can!
       We need you Kira!
       Let's fight together for
       what's right!

Kira:
       Clint.....

(Fade to night time. They group are all sat around an open fire.)

Kira:
       I was born into a
       royal family...
       We were royal in name
       only and poorer than
       most peasants.
       But I was blessed with
       warm and loving parents
       and was very happy.
       But all that changed
       when the revolution
       started...
       Mother, father, sister...
       All killed by rioting
       mobs during the war...

Dolan:
       It's true, rampaging
       mobs went crazy...
       They looted homes and
       slaughtered thousands
       of innocents.

Amon:
       So the Ishtaria that
       we're so proud of...
       was built with the
       blood of innocents!

Ash:
       But the emperor wants to
       repeat the tragedy.
       Whatever we do, we've
       got to stop him!

Amon:
       But what do we do now?
       The emperor has the
       magic stone and the
       Royal Ring!

Zohar:
       There's still a way...

Ash:
       Speak up, man!

Zohar:
       Inscribed on the Ring is
       a message.
       It is in the language
       of the Biruni Empire.
       I believe it gives the
       coordinates of a place
       in the Torog Mountains.

Ash:
       What could be there?!

Zohar:
       I have no idea...
       But we might as well
       give it a try...

Ash:
       All right then!!
       Let's head for the
       Torog Mountains!

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

ACT IV: THE SUCCESSOR
                           END

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

The Torog mountain range, located on the far northern border of
Ishtaria. From ancient times, it has been called the home of the gods
and as of yet no man has been able to dwell for long upon its cruel
facade.

Placing their last hopes for the overthrow of the Empire upon the
ancient script engraved upon the Royal Ring, Ash and his companions
travel north by sea to this harsh land.

Meanwhile, after finally obtaining the Flame of Judgment, powerful
forces were at work within the Empire...

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

ACT V: THE LEGACY

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

(Fade into an imperial room. Hel Spites and Dolf Crowley are stood
around a glass case with a flickering flame inside. A guard stands
nearby.)

Hel:
       The Flames of Judgment
       in their true form...
       Are they not dazzling?
       Each man is always at
       war with the side of his
       nature that seeks death.
       Those who pretend to
       seek glory are merely
       trying to run from this.
       Have you never
       thought about this?

Dolf:
       ...............

(Dolf begins to walk over towards the wall.)

Hel:
       The Flames of Judgment!
       ........
       They have the power to
       lay waste to everything!
       Such power wasn't meant
       for man... Even one so
       great as I...
       Yet to save the people
       from pain and suffering
       I must have power...
       I learned much from the
       chaos that followed the
       revolution...

Dolf:
       Ha ha. Like a child
       crying for mommy...
       You always could
       make me laugh....

Hel:
       What!!!

(Dolf draws his sword and strikes the guard down.)

Hel:
       !!!..........

Dolf:
       There is no glory
       in suffering...
       'Tis better and more
       natural to allow those
       who are in pain to die.

(Dolf approaches Hel, sword still drawn.)

Hel:
       You... You're a...

Dolf:
       A traitor! Yes!!

(Dolf swings his sword and kills Hel.)

Hel:
       Gyaaaaaaah!!!

(Promptly a soldier enters the room.)

Soldier:
       My lord, did I hear
       something?...
       What!!
       What happened!...

Dolf:
       Stay calm!!
       The emperor has been
       felled by an assassin...
       There may still be time!
       Quickly! Call a healer!

Soldier:
       Yes, sir!

(The soldier runs away.)

Dolf:
       A healer... Ha!
       He needs only a coffin!

======= WART BAY ======================================================

(Cut to Ash and his group on a ship moored in a harbour.)

Grog:
       All square!

Huxley:
       Oooh... This ship life
       is difficult work.

Darius:
       That's cause you're a
       tired old grouch!

Huxley:
       It takes one to
       know one!

Eleni:
       Stop it you two.
       Huh? What's that!

(The camera sweeps across to reveal eggworms, golems and various other
creatures inhabiting the docks.)

Diego:
       Monsters?!

Ash:
       Look alive people!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE IN WART BAY **

VICTORY = Destruction of enemies
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

======= PIONEER TOWN SORBO ============================================

Ash:
       Tomorrow we head for
       the Torog mountains.
       This is the last rest
       we'll get for some time.
       Let's get some sleep.

(Fade to black. Harsh wind can be heard as well as crying birds.)

Girl's voice:
       Yaaaaaah!

Woman's voice:
       N...No!!!.....

Man's voice:
       Save us!...

Girl's voice:
       Sister, no!...

(Fade in to a small bed chamber where Eleni and Sara are sleeping.
Eleni sits up suddenly and screams.)

Eleni:
       Eeeeeek!!!

Sara:
       What is it?
       What happened?

Eleni:
       Oh my!...
       I... I'm sorry...
       I had a terrible dream.

Sara:
       You scared me!
       That was some scream!
       What were you
       dreaming about?!

Eleni:
       The same dream I've been
       having since I was small.
       In the dream, I get
       sucked into a giant
       glowing fissure...
       I'm surrounded by people
       who seem to know me...
       They're trying
       desperately to save me...
       But they're too late.

Sara:
       Weird dream! My dreams
       are all so boring!
       I wouldn't mind having a
       dream about some
       handsome stranger...

Eleni:
       I thought you and Amon
       were in love.

(Sara's face goes red.)

Sara:
       What?! What are you
       talking about!
       Anyway, you should get
       some sleep! We have a
       big day tomorrow.

Eleni:
       All right...

(They both go back to sleep.)

======= TOROG MOUNTAINS ===============================================

(The group are on a wooden bridge over icy water in a snow-filled,
rocky landscape.)

Dolan:
       Master Zohar...
       Please tell us what
       you think we will find
       around here.

Zohar:
       Hmmm... The descendants
       of the lost people.

Ash:
       Lost people? Do you
       really think that...

Darius:
       Heads up!
       We got company!!

(Kane and a group of Crimson soldiers appear behind the group.)

Kane;
       Ash Lambert! This will
       be your burial place!

Ash:
       Better men have said
       that before!!

(On top of a bluff ahead of them, Kurtz is waiting with his own
group of soldiers.)

Kurtz:
       I'll stain this snow
       crimson with your blood!

Kira:
       We're surrounded!

(Sabina walks up to Kane.)

Sabina:
       Master Kane,
       terrible news!!

Kane:
       What is it Sabina!

Sabina:
       A messenger arrived...
       The emperor is dead...
       He was assassinated
       by terrorists, they say.

Kane:
       Father... I can't
       believe it...
       I must go to the
       capital to see for
       myself.
       Kurtz, I'm counting on
       you to take care of
       Ash for me!

Kurtz:
       With pleasure!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE IN TOROG MOUNTAINS **

VICTORY = Defeat of Kurtz
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* VICTORY *

Kurtz:
       Ugh! So it was to be
       my blood instead...

(The group assemble around the base of the bluff.)

Ash:
       They said the emperor
       was killed...

Kira:
       I wonder if it could be
       Dolf so soon...

Clint:
       What are you talking
       about?

Kira:
       Dolf was waiting for the
       chance to supplant Hel.
       If he's behind this,
       we're in much greater
       peril than even before.
       Hel was a lover
       of power, it's true.
       But Dolf is insane!
       He is in love with
       death!!

Diego:
       I always thought he was
       dangerous...

Ash:
       We need to move
       faster than ever now!

======= FRONTIER VILLAGE ==============================================

Ash:
       What a charming little
       village.

Amon:
       Looks pretty boring
       to me...

Zohar:
       This is the location
       inscribed on the ring...

Ash:
       Well, in any case...
       Eleni, what's wrong?

Eleni:
       I feel strange...
       This is the first time
       I've been here
       and yet...

Ash:
       ?..........

* AFTER VISITING THE TAVERN *

Ash:
       Eleni! You don't
       look well!

Eleni:
       I... I do know this
       village...

Ash:
       What do you mean?

Eleni:
       These stone streets...
       These houses...!
       Oh no! Flames!!
       This village will become
       an ocean of flames!!

Ash:
       Eleni!!
       What is it!!

Old Man:
       What happened?

Ash:
       Suddenly she just
       started raving...

Old Man:
       She can lie down at my
       house... It's over there.

(Fade to Ash waiting in the room of a house. The old man enters.)

Old Man:
       She's relaxing now.
       She was very tired.

Ash:
       Thank you for
       everything.
       My name is
       Ash Lambert.

Old Man:
       I'm the village head.
       Call me Orosius.
       Tell me, for what
       purpose have you come
       to this village?

Ash:
       Well, the truth is...

(Fade to black, then fade back in again.)

Orosius:
       Oh... I see.
       But as you see this is
       nothing but a mountain
       village.
       We have nothing to do
       with any magic stone
       or lost people.

Ash:
       Is that so?...

(Suddenly, a man bursts in through the door carrying a pitchfork.)

Villager:
       Chief! Monsters!!
       We were out
       picking healing herbs
       when they attacked.
       Your granddaughter Leena
       is among them....

Orosius:
       What?!

Ash:
       We'll save them!
       Where do we go?

Villager:
       The Tsukue Plains north-
       west of the village.

(The villager leaves. Eleni comes from another room and Ash rushes over
to her.)

Eleni:
       I'm going too.

Ash:
       Are you sure?

Eleni:
       Don't worry. I'm
       feeling much better!

======= TSUKUE PLAINS =================================================

(The whole group is assembled on the plains.)

Ash:
       There they are!!

(The camera pans across to a man and a small blonde girl in the field.
There are several monsters nearby, and between the pair and the group.)

Villager:
       Leena, don't worry about
       me. Save yourself!

Leena:
       No, you can't give up!
       I know! I'll use the
       spell my granddad
       taught me...
       Spirits of the light
       surround me now...
       Elemental shield!!

(Leena casts a spell that creates a blue barrier around them.)

Zohar:
       A little girl casting
       such a powerful spell!!

Ash:
       Wow!!.....
       We don't know how long
       it will last!
       Let's get to work!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE IN TSUKUE PLAINS **

VICTORY = Destruction of enemies
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* VICTORY *

(Ash and the group are stood around Leena and the man.)

Ash:
       Are you all right?

Leena:
       Yes. Thank you!

Diego:
       Let's get back to
       the village.

(Fade out. When the screen fades back in, Ash and Zohar are stood
alone in Tsukue Plains.)

Zohar:
       The spell that girl
       used...
       Only the very highest
       in our craft know
       that spell!
       Also did you notice the
       markings in the plain?

Ash:
       Yes, I've seen that
       mark before.
       The village chief is
       trying to hide
       something from us.

(Ash and Zohar leave, and the camera pans up to reveal a high view of
the field. There are markings in it resembling a bird with a cross on
its back. The same markings could be seen on the floor in the castle
ruins in Act II. Fade to Orosius' house where Ash, Zohar, Orosius and
Leena are stood.)

Orosius:
       How can I
       thank you!

Ash:
       Start by telling us
       the truth.
       What is the secret
       of this village?

Orosius:
       Huh? What are
       you talking about?

Ash:
       You can't fool us.
       No normal child could
       wield a spell of
       such power!
       And the pattern carved
       into the plains? I saw
       it on Toroah's Ark!
       And the same mark is on
       your pendant...

Orosius:
       ...............
       I see there is no use in
       trying to deceive
       you further...
       The villagers here are
       descendants of the
       ancient Biruni Empire.
       We were a civilization
       of sorcerers and sages,
       but then...
       Our greatest and most
       terrible achievement was
       also our undoing...
       The Flames
       of Judgment!

Zohar:
       Just as I suspected...

Ash:
       Orosius, please lend
       us your power!

(Orosius shakes his head.)

Orosius:
       Sadly, I cannot.
       Our ancestors took pride
       in power and walked the
       path of destruction...
       The power that they
       unwittingly unleashed,
       they later sealed away.
       We will not use power
       again. We will not
       repeat our mistakes.

Ash:
       You're only running from
       your responsibilities!
       Even though you sealed
       the power, it did not
       go away.
       If it truly was your
       ancestors who unleashed
       this power...
       then it is your duty and
       your obligation to rid us
       of its menace!

Orosius:
       ...............

Leena:
       They saved us from
       certain death!
       Please! You must lend
       them your strength!

Orosius:
       Leena...
       I have an idea. We will
       test them to see if their
       hearts are true.
       If they can retrieve a
       claw from Salamander the
       Dragon, I will help.
       Leena, guide them to the
       cave and do not get
       involved yourself!

Leena:
       Terrific! I can be
       your guide!

======= SMOKING BONES CAVE ============================================

(A cave filled with lava pools.)

Leena:
       The fire drake is in the
       back! Be careful!

(Leena leaves.)

=======================================================================

** BATTLE IN SMOKING BONES CAVE **

VICTORY = Defeat of Dragon
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* VICTORY *

Fire Dragon:
       Raaaaaaaarrrrr!!!

======= FRONTIER VILLAGE ==============================================

(The village is in flames, buildings are crumbling and villagers lay
dead. Crimson soldiers are around, including Sabina.)

Sabina:
       Ha ha ha!...
       Kill them all!

Orosius:
       Stop!!

Sabina:
       We'll stop if you tell
       us where Ash is!

Orosius:
       I know nothing!

Sabina:
       Then you shall die
       for me!

(A Crimson soldier strikes Orosius with his sword.)

Orosius:
       Gach!

(Ash's group arrives with Leena.)

Leena:
       Grandfather!!

Ash:
       You'll pay for that!

Sabina:
       Indeed! I was about to
       say the same!
       You shall pay dearly for
       the lives of Lando,
       Dallas and Kurtz!!

Eleni:
       Move away, Leena.
       We'll take care of this!

Leena:
       O...Okay.

=======================================================================

** BATTLE IN FRONTIER VILLAGE **

VICTORY = Defeat of Sabina
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* AFTER 4 ROUNDS *

Sabina:
       Ooof... You are stronger
       than I thought...

(Kane appears in the village with a group of soldiers.)

Kane:
       Sabina, I'm back!

Sabina:
       Master Kane!

Ash:
       Fresh troops!...
       We're in trouble!

* IF KANE IS DEFEATED *

Kane:
       Sabina!...
       I must retreat!...

Sabina:
       Kane!
       Leave it to me!

* IF SABINA IS DEFEATED *

Sabina:
       Kane!! Help!!

* VICTORY *

(Ash and the group are gathered in the ruins of Frontier Village with
Orosius, who is laying on the ground.)

Orosius:
       Ooooooooohhh...

Leena:
       No! Don't die
       grandfather!

Ash:
       Orosius!

Orosius:
       Ash... It is just as
       you said...
       We were running... from
       the terrifying power that
       we gave birth to.
       ...But it seems that the
       time has come...
       to pay for our lies...

Leena:
       Grandfather!!

Orosius:
       Leena... You must go to
       Orome Lake...
       Break the seal on the
       temple... You're the only
       one left to do it...
       It shall be reborn... The
       only power to resist the
       Flames of Judgment...
       The sword of
       destruction...
       Vandal Heart!!

Ash:
       Vandal Heart...

Orosius:
       A sentient blade... as
       fearful as its name...
       He who wields it, if
       there be doubt in his
       heart, will be cursed.
       The wielder could become
       a puppet of evil,
       spreading pain...
       But you Ash...
       You could...
       You could do it...

Ash:
       Orosius, be strong!

Orosius:
       Tell them...
       Tell them for us...
       ...The people... must not
       ...give in ...to...
       power......

(Orosius collapses.)

Leena:
       Grandfather!!!

(Fade to a field with three wooden crosses marking graves. Dolan is
knelt by the front marker with Amon and Sara behind him. He stands.)

Amon:
       Another sacrifice...
       I hope what we're
       fighting for really
       has meaning...

Dolan:
       That will be judged by
       later generations.
       We have to trust our
       own conscience. By the
       way, where's Leena?

Sara:
       Eleni is going to check
       on her. Poor girl...

Dolan:
       Poor girl she
       may be...
       But right now, our only
       hopes are riding on her!

(Fade to Leena crying on the floor of the house with Eleni stood by
her.)

Leena:
       Boo hoo... What am I
       going to do now?
       My grandfather... The
       whole village dead.
       I'm all alone!...

Eleni:
       Leena, you're not
       alone!
       Nobody is alone in this
       world... Everyone is
       connected in some way!

Leena:
       You too?

Eleni:
       Me too... I have no
       family left either...
       And yet I know that I'm
       not alone. I have Ash,
       Huxley and the others.
       You too, Leena! You're
       one of us now!

Leena:
       Really? You'll take
       me with you?

Eleni:
       Of course... Here, take
       this pendant of mine.

Leena:
       It's beautiful!...

Eleni:
       I was wearing this when
       they found me...
       I was an orphan baby
       with only this pendant to
       show who I really was.
       I'm giving this to you
       because now I know
       who I am. I'm me!
       Someday you'll know what
       I mean... Let's go back
       to the others, okay?

Leena:
       Okay!...

======= OROME LAKE ====================================================

(The group are gathered with Leena at the edge of Orome Lake. Leena
is stood on a marked panel.)

Darius:
       If this is Orome Lake,
       then where's the temple?

Leena:
       Hee hee...
       Watch this.
       Spirits of the lake,
       keep thy pledge to the
       emperors of Biruni...
       De gustibus non est
       disputandum!

(Leena casts a spell which causes a large temple to rise from the
water.)

Diego:
       That was really cool!
       ...Oh no, what's this?

(Golden machines appear at the temple doors, resembling golems from
before but more hi-tech.)

Guardian:
       Survive this trial to
       receive our guidance.

Kira:
       They're not gonna let us
       pass without a fight!

Leena:
       If I can reach the gate
       they should fall back!

Ash:
       Let's protect Leena and
       get her to the gate!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE ON OROME LAKE **

VICTORY = Move Leena to entrance
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash or Leena

=======================================================================

* WHEN LEENA REACHES THE SECOND PANEL *

Leena:
       By the blood that runs
       through my veins...
       Sic transit gloria
       mundi!!

(Another part of the temple rises from the water, creating a bridge
for the group to pass through but revealing more guardians.)

* WHEN LEENA REACHES THE THIRD PANEL *

Leena:
       Rise again from your
       ancient slumber...
       Nun aut nunquam!

(Another part of the temple rises from the water, creating a bridge
for the group to pass through but revealing more guardians.)

* VICTORY *

(Inside the temple, the Vandal Heart is suspended inside a spinning
blue energy field. The temple interior resembles the same temple
where the group faced Magnus.)

Ash:
       So this is...
       Vandal Heart!

Zohar:
       Leena, it's up to you to
       unseal the sword.

Leena:
       I'll try!

(Leena walks forward.)

Man's voice:
       Go no further!

(Xeno teleports in behind the group.)

Ash:
       It's Xeno!

Xeno:
       I took a chance at
       following you...
       I had no idea that you
       would find a relic of
       this magnitude!
       The fabled Vandal Heart,
       sword of destruction!

Zohar:
       Xeno, don't get any
       foolish ideas!

Xeno:
       Ha! Even you can't stop
       me now, Zohar!
       I've discovered the
       secrets of phase magic
       ...Dimension Hole!!

Zohar:
       He's summoned a space-
       time rift by himself!

(Xeno casts a spell which creates a vortex shimmering with runic
symbols. It is the same one seen when Ash, Grog and Sara were
sucked into the Plains of Sorrow (end of Act 2). The vortex shoots
towards Leena.)

Leena:
       Gyaaaaaah!!

Eleni:
       Leena!!

(Eleni tries to run to Leena, but Ash stops her.)

Ash:
       Eleni, no!!

Eleni:
       Leena!
       ...Leena!

Leena:
       Eleni, help!

(The vortex closes and Leena is gone.)

Xeno:
       Ha! You're last
       chance is gone!
       See you at the
       apocalypse!
       Ha ha ha...

(Xeno teleports away.)

Ash:
       Now what are we
       gonna do...

Diego:
       Shit!!

Zohar:
       Sealed for eternity...

Eleni:
       That's not true!...

Ash:
       Huh?...

Eleni:
       I... I just remembered
       ...The truth is...
       I am Leena...
       Leena is Eleni!...
       Is me...

Ash:
       Eleni, are you well?
       Sit down and rest!

Eleni:
       I'm fine Ash. It's just
       that I know who I am.
       Everyone, Leena's fine!
       She came out of the rift
       18 years in the past.
       She'll wander around a
       little, but soon she'll
       be found by Magnus!

Zohar:
       So you mean that...

Eleni:
       Yes, Leena is myself
       from the past!
       Don't give up hope! As
       the last Biruni mage,
       I can break this seal!

(Eleni begins to cast a spell.)

Eleni:
       Soul sword, make with us
       a contract of blood...
       Morituri te salumatus!

(Energy flows from Eleni and the barrier around the Vandal Heart
disappears.)

Eleni:
       Ash, take the sword!!

(Ash takes the Vandal Heart, and begins to glow white.)

Ash:
       My entire body...
       It's flowing with energy!
       So this...
       This is Vandal Heart!

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

ACT V: THE LEGACY
                           END

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

Having acquired the great sword, Vandal Heart, the only power which
can resist the Flames of Judgment, Ash and his friends set off for the
city of Shumeria to take their part in the Liberation Army's final
assault.

At the same time, Dolf, who had been secretly hiding his true ambition
for years, saw the chaos after the death of Emperor Hel as his great
chance to grasp the reigns of power.

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

ACT VI: A FOOL'S EPITAPH

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

(Having left Glasgow Town, Ash and his group arrive at Fort Gareth.
Kane is stood on battlements.)

Kane:
       Lando, Dallas, Kurtz,
       Sabina and father...
       Lend me your power...

Messenger:
       Master Kane, Ash and his
       men are here!

Kane:
       So it's finally time!

(Ash and the others are seen at the entrance to the fort.)

Ash:
       There's no need for
       further bloodshed.
       I'm not even sure
       who the real enemy
       is now!

Kane:
       Are you referring to
       Dolf perhaps?
       That's got nothing to do
       with what's between
       you and I!
       I promised I would kill
       you with my own hands
       and I will!

Ash:
       Let's see if you
       can do that!!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE AT FORT GARETH **

VICTORY = Defeat of Kane
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* AFTER 1 ROUND *

Kane:
       Ash, I've hated you since
       officer training school!
       Son of a traitorous dog!
       Acting like one of the
       elite... How dare you!
       Now I'll show you what a
       lowlife you really are!

Ash:
       Come on then, Kane!

Kane:
       I'll feast on your still
       beating heart!!

* WHEN ASH'S GROUP BREACH THE INNER WALL *

Kane:
       They keep coming!
       Can nothing stop them?

(Xeno teleports in.)

Xeno:
       It's not time to
       give up yet...

Kane:
       You're Dolf's pet wizard
       aren't you?!

Xeno:
       Surrender to me
       your soul...
       and I will use my arts
       to transform you into a
       creature of the dark!

Kane:
       I'll not take the
       coward's road!!

Xeno:
       I thought you wanted
       Ash dead, no?

Kane:
       Damn... Very well.
       I grant you my soul.

Xeno:
       Ha! Superb! In return
       I grant you victory!

(Colourful, magic explosions erupt around Kane.)

Kane:
       Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

Xeno:
       Ha ha! Now you're just a
       mindless killing machine!

(Xeno disappears.)

Ash:
       Fool! He's abandoned
       humanity!
       I can't believe he
       went that far!

(Kane is now shrouded in dark purple energy.)

Kane:
       ...Ash...Ash...
       Ashhhhh!!!!!

* WHEN KANE IS DEFEATED *

Kane:
       Yaaarrrgggg!!!
       Ash... I hate you!!!
       You've destroyed
       everything I love!
       I'll be waiting for you
       in the gates of hell!!

======= COBALT BEACH ==================================================

(Ash is stood alone in the darkness. Strange shapes can be seen against
the sky.)

Ash:
       What is this place?

Voice:
       Son of a traitor!!

Ash:
       Who said that?

Man's Voice:
       You sold out our
       country!!

Woman's Voice:
       You and your father are
       the shame of this land!!

Ash:
       Stop..stop it!!

Child's Voice:
       Traitor! Traitor!!

Old Person's Voice:
       You'll never be anything
       but a dirty lowlife!!

Kane's Voice:
       I hate you! I'll hate
       you for all eternity!!

Ash:
       Stooooooooop!!!

(Suddenly the darkness fades and Ash is stood on green grass with all
his companions.)

Clint:
       Ash!!
       Ash what's wrong!

Ash:
       Uhhh..........
       I... Sorry
       about that...

Eleni:
       Are you okay?
       You don't look well.

Ash:
       No, really...
       I'm fine.
       It's nearly time for us
       to link up our forces
       with Clive.

(Across the field we see a large group of centurions and grenadiers.)

Kira:
       First we'll have to deal
       with those guys!!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE ON COBALT BEACH **

VICTORY = Destruction of enemies
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* AFTER 1 ROUND *

Voice:
       Traitor's son!

Ash:
       ?!Huh?...
       Who said that?!

* AFTER 2 ROUNDS *

[Kane's] Voice:
       I'll hate you forever!!

Ash:
       Again that voice!
       Can't you hear it?!

* AFTER 3 ROUNDS *

Voice:
       You sold out your
       country! Traitor!!

Ash:
       Stop!!
       Why won't you stop!!

* VICTORY *

Eleni:
       Ash, are you really
       all right?!

(The scene fades away until it is just Ash in the blackness again.)

Voice:
       Traitor!
       Renegade!

Voice:
       Turncoat!

Voice:
       You big jerk!

Ash:
       Someone stop these
       voices in my head!

(Ash erupts in the same kind of explosions that Kane did. When they
dissipate, he has a dark, eerie tone to his flesh and armour.)

Eleni:
       Ash, what is it?!

Ash:
       Help meee!!!

(Ash takes a swipe at Eleni.)

Eleni:
       Eeeeeek!!

Dolan:
       Eleni! Get away
       from there!

Ash:
       Do not call me...
       a traitor!!!

(Clive appears and hurries over.)

Clive:
       What... What's going on?

Zohar:
       Vandal Heart is vying to
       control Ash's soul!
       His trauma from being
       called a traitor as a boy
       is emerging!

Clive:
       What can we do!

Ash:
       All of you...
       Die! Die! Die!

(Ash suddenly creates a wave of white energy that forces everybody
back.)

Clive:
       Stop!...
       Stop it, Ash!

(Clive approaches Ash.)

Clint:
       Clive, look out!

Ash:
       Gwaaaahhhh!

(Ash strikes Clive down. The dark energy fades and rain begins to fall.
Clive is gasping on the ground.)

Ash:
       ...What... What have
       I wrought!
       Please Clive!
       Please don't die!!

Clive:
       Huff... It's better this
       way, Ash.

Ash:
       What!!

Clive:
       I'll never forget that
       fateful day 18 years
       ago...

(The screen fades to black, then shows a flashback to a castle room.
Two men are stood there.)

Ash's father, Aldor:
       Arris, I'll cover you!
       Go out the back!

Arris the Sage:
       No, Aldor!
       I won't forsake you...

(Clive and several imperial soldiers enter through a large door.)

Clive:
       Aldor Lambert, surrender
       the traitor Arris!

Aldor:
       Stop it Clive!
       You've been deceived!

Clive:
       Don't interfere or
       you'll be hurt too!!

Aldor:
       Listen to me Clive!
       This is part of a plan
       to ensnare
       Arris the Sage!

(Clive draws his sword.)

Clive:
       I'll listen no more!!
       Put up your sword!

Aldor:
       I didn't want to fight,
       but I have no choice...

Clive:
       Have at you!!

(The screen fades to black and we hear the clash of swords, followed
by a deathly scream.)

Clive:
       I found out later that
       Aldor spoke the truth.
       They were just using me
       to sabotage the new
       government...
       After I discovered the
       truth, I tried to make a
       public announcement.
       But the person that
       deceived me had already
       been killed in the war...
       I said nothing for fear
       of derailing the peace
       process...
       And so the truth has
       not been spoken until
       this day...

(Fade back in to the rainy scene.)

Clive:
       Ash, you're father was                          [sic]
       no traitor!!...

Ash:
       Clive!!

Zohar:
       We may yet save him!
       Let's return to town!!

=======================================================================

(Cut to Ash alone in a room. Eleni enters.)

Eleni:
       Here you are, Ash.
       Clive, will be fine!

Ash:
       Thank the gods! I was
       so worried...
       But I nearly killed him!
       I'm in no condition to
       keep fighting...

Eleni:
       What are you talking
       about Ash!

Ash:
       I can never forgive
       myself...

Eleni:
       Listen to me Ash!
       Your father, Clive...
       Everyone was fighting for
       a better tomorrow...
       You must continue the
       good fight that your
       father died for!

Ash:
       Eleni...

Eleni:
       It's your turn now, Ash.
       You mustn't use guilt as
       an excuse to avoid
       responsibility!

Ash:
       You're right Eleni.
       It's just as you say.
       I've been selfish for
       too long. It's time to
       do my duty!

Eleni:
       Complete your father's
       dying wish!

Ash:
       My father's dying
       wish...

(Ash pulls something from his armour.)

Eleni:
       That's the same ocarina
       from before!

(Ash plays the tune he played after the Rhine Bridge battle in Act 1.)

Ash:
       Yes... It's a memento
       from my father.
       All those years I hated
       him, but I just couldn't
       throw it away.
       I guess all those years
       part of me never stopped
       believing in him.

Eleni:
       Ash...

Ash:
       We're finally near the
       end of all this madness.
       Come on, let's go!

======= CAPITAL SHUMERIA ==============================================

(A scene of carnage. Crimson Guard soldiers are in the city streets
and are being killed by monsters.)

Imperial Soldier:
       Hyaaaaaaahhh!!

Imperial Soldier:
       Waaaaaaahhhh!!

Imperial Soldier:
       Gyaaaaaahhhh!!

Ash:
       Monsters attacking Imperial Soldiers!?!

(One soldier runs up to Ash.)

Imperial Soldiers:
       Help... Help us!

Ash:
       Tell us what's going
       on here!

Imperial Soldier:
       Councilor Dolf took the
       Flames of Judgment and
       holed himself up in the
       great temple 3 days ago.
       He said something...
       about a magic ceremony
       to destroy the
       rebel army...
       After that, powerful
       monsters appeared and
       nearly wiped us out!
       This country
       is finished!!

(The soldier flees.)

Ash:
       What's going on at
       the great temple?!

Zohar:
       I think I know what
       happened...
       A powerful negative force
       is wielding the flames,
       and the resultant dark
       energy has created a
       vortex to some dark and
       evil dimension, I think.

Xeno:
       Exactly...

Zohar:
       Xeno, is this what you
       wanted all along?

Xeno:
       My heart has ever
       yearned to know...
       to what heady heights a
       man may climb have he but
       the will and the power!
       Teacher, I'll not allow
       you to stop me from
       my dream!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE IN CAPITAL SHUMERIA **

VICTORY = Defeat of Xeno
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* AFTER 1 ROUND *

Sara:
       We've reached the
       endgame at long last!

Amon:
       We must win even if it
       means our deaths!

Dolan:
       You're wrong, Amon!
       We fight to live! If we
       die, what good is
       our victory?

Sara:
       Amon, you have another
       good reason to live too!

Amon:
       Hey, is that a promise?

Sara:
       Not a promise. Call it
       an incentive.

* AFTER 2 ROUNDS *

Clint:
       Kira... If we
       survive this war...

Kira:
       What? I couldn't
       hear you.

Clint:
       Nothing... I said
       'be careful!'

Kira:
       Yeah... You too.

* VICTORY *

Xeno:
       Yeeeeoooowwww!!!
       You have slain me!...

=======================================================================

(The group are gathered in Shumeria's streets.)

Zohar:
       Xeno was a man very much
       like other men.
       Mankind has ever had an
       insatiable desire for
       knowledge and truth...

Dolan:
       But not everyone kills
       for that desire.

Grog:
       ...Well anyway, we still
       gotta deal with Dolf!
       Are we ready to attack
       as we are, Ash?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

* QUESTION *
>       1. Not yet...
>       2. Let's go!

* ANSWER *
>       1. Not yet...

Ash:
       Not yet, we need to
       resupply first!

* ANSWER *
>       2. Let's go!

Ash:
       Let's go! This is the
       final battle!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

=======================================================================

(Dolf is stood at the head of what looks like a church or palace. Ash's
group are at the entrance, and between them are numerous monsters.)

Dolf:
       Impressive! I greatly
       underestimated you!

Ash:
       Dolf... What are you
       planning?!
       If this continues,
       everyone in Ishtaria
       will wind up dead!
       Do you want to be the
       ruler of a kingdom
       of ghosts?!

Dolf:
       Ho ho. You completely
       misunderstand me!
       It is neither power
       nor glory that I seek...
       It is revenge for the
       death of my father,
       Arris, that I seek!

Eleni:
       Arris the Sage!
       The greatest hero of
       Ishtaria was your
       father?!...

Dolf:
       Father was the greatest
       patriot of our history!
       But he was used and
       thrown away like a
       lump of coal...
       His place in history
       was forgotten even
       as the people...
       enjoyed the prosperity
       that was hard won
       with his blood!
       I vowed I would take
       revenge on those people
       who forgot him!
       It was then that I met
       Xeno and learned of the
       Flames of Judgment...

Zohar:
       Fool! To use such power
       for petty revenge!
       You would destroy the
       world to settle your own
       puny debts?!

Dolf:
       Your words move me not!
       This unclean world
       can only be cleansed
       with fire!

Ash:
       You're wrong!
       Though this world may
       be wicked, life itself
       is precious!
       Good and evil, love and
       hate. Each man contains
       the potential for both.
       You would exterminate
       mankind for their sins?
       I would fight the gods
       themselves to save them!

Dolf:
       Sanctimonious whelp!
       How many souls have you
       yourself released from
       their corporeal bondage?
       Well then... Why don't
       you see if you can
       stop me!

=======================================================================

** BATTLE IN CAPITAL SHUMERIA **

VICTORY = Defeat of Dolf
DEFEAT  = Death of Ash

=======================================================================

* WHEN DOLF IS DEFEATED *

Dolf:
       Fool!... Let's see you
       handle this!

(Explosions erupt around Dolf. When they stop he has become 'Dolf
Dark Angel', a winged, hooded version of himself.)

* WHEN DOLF DARK ANGEL IS DEFEATED *

Dolf:
       Yaaaaarrrrrggg!!!!

=======================================================================

(The group are all gathered around Dolf as he lays on the floor.)

Dolf:
       Uuuuuhhhh.......

Dolan:
       It's finally over...

Dolf:
       F...Father...

Ash:
       Dolf, it's over.
       Let it go.
       Revenge for your father.
       I understand you better
       than you know...
       But after revenge is
       taken, nothing remains
       but a painful scar...
       Dolf, you can
       begin again.
       With your genius you
       could do much to help
       rebuild this country.

Dolf:
       Uggg...
       Help this country?...
       Help this country?!
       You still do not
       understand...
       This country was headed
       for annihilation anyway!
       I am merely accelerating
       and purifying the means
       of its destruction...

Ash:
       ...............

Dolf:
       Now the world shall be
       judged as was my father!

Zohar:
       !?!... Dolf, don't do it!
       You must stop!!

Dolf:
       Flames of Judgment!
       Devour all you see!
       Devour our souls!
       Devour the world!!

(An orange ball of energy forms above Dolf. White light flashes,
followed by explosions in the room. Dolf vanishes.)

Dolan:
       With his last effort he
       released the flames!!

Eleni:
       It can't be true!!
       Who can save us now?!

Clint:
       It's no good!
       It keeps expanding!

Ash:
       I'll use Vandal Heart to
       disperse its power!

Zohar:
       Ash, no!!
       It's too dangerous!

Ash:
       Well here goes nothing!
       Yaaaahhhhhh!!!!

(Ash leaps forward into the energy ball and symbols appear suddenly,
then a bright flash. When it fades, Ash is gone.)

Diego:
       Did... Did it work?

Zohar:
       It looks like the flames
       have gone out, but...

Eleni:
       Ash!...
       Where's Ash?!

Darius:
       He... He disappeared
       with the flames...

Eleni:
       No!... Ash!...
       Come back, Ash!!

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

ACT VI: A FOOL'S EPITAPH
                           END

=======================================================================
=======================================================================


Ash, gone from this world, was never to be seen again...

With Hel and Dolf gone, the Empire quickly crumbled. Ishtaria was once
more set back on the path of democracy. However, the wounds left by the
empire were deep indeed. As a result of the purges which left many
dead, the new government faced a difficult task indeed. In the
countryside, thieves still make their own laws and only the strong can
survive. Ultimately not much changed since before the war started.

People still must make their way by force of their will. It is only
when the people lose this will that evil is able to flourish and
take power.

During this time, Ash's friends began to drift away...

Dolan became a statesman and helped to rebuild Ishtaria.
(Image: Dolan stood on a podium.)

Kira took off by herself on a journey of self-discovery.
(Image: Kira riding a horse across a field by a lake.)

While Clint, new head of the SDF, waited for her return. Recently there
have been rumors that the two will marry.
(Image: Clint sat among Kira's belongings reading a letter.)

Diego returned to Kerachi to continue the family business.
(Image: Diego sat at a desk, looking somewhat bored.)

Amon became Darius' apprentice machine maker.
(Image: Amon tinkering with some cogs and large machinery.)

Sara got a job in a nearby bakery to be close to Amon.
(Image: Sara slumped over the counter staring longingly.)

Grog and Zohar sailed all over the world together.
(Image: Grog standing at the bow of a ship while Zohar sits nearby,
reading from a large book.)

Huxley is always at home working on his stamp collection.
(Image: Huxley holding a stamp with a pair of tweezers with several
stamp books scattered around.)

       The days go by one
       after the other...

(Eleni is sat alone at a desk in a room.)

Eleni:
       The days go by one
       after the other...
       An endless procession
       of tomorrows...
       But nothing new
       to write about...

(Ash's ocarina melody is heard.)

Eleni:
       !!..........
       That ocarina!...
       That melody!...
       Could it be!!

(She walks over to the door and goes outside.)

Eleni:
       It is!...
       Welcome back!...
       I've been waiting
       so long!
</pre><pre id="faqspan-4">
=======================================================================

       Congratulations

       You are the master of Vandal Hearts

       Thank you for playing.
       See you in the next episode.

=======================================================================
======= END ===========================================================
=======================================================================



=======================================================================
=======================================================================

EXTRA DIALOGUE AND NOTES

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

This includes:
       Speech given by people in towns (taverns and dojo)
       Holy Key battles
       Character battle death quotes
       Character train death quotes (4.4)
       Character bridge death quotes (5.2)
       Character river death quotes (5.5)
       Errors in Vandal Hearts script/translation

=======================================================================
=======================================================================
SPEECH GIVEN BY PEOPLE IN TOWNS
=======================================================================
=======================================================================

======= CAPITAL SHUMERIA ==============================================

Bartender:
       I thought it would get
       better after the war.
       But now everything is
       taxed and you can't walk
       on the streets at night.

Young man:
       The streets are filled
       with criminals and our
       council is filled with
       politicians who only
       care about padding
       their own nests.
       Now it's daily terrorist
       threats. What's going to
       happen to this country?

Woman:
       The terrorists killed
       Mr. Smetana, head of the
       council just 3 days ago...
       They say it was the work
       of the Old Royalists...
       But if you ask me, it
       could have been any of a
       dozen different groups.
       I'm just surprised it
       didn't happen sooner.

Old man:
       If Arris were here to
       see how things have
       turned out...
       I wonder what he would say.


======= PORT CITY MINATO ==============================================

Bartender:
       A ship? I don't think
       you'll have much luck.
       The pirate, Hassan,
       has been prowling
       this area recently.
       Everyone's so afraid
       that all trade has been
       brought to a halt.

Man:
       A relative of mine lives
       on Gillbaris Island, but
       all contact's been cut
       off cause of that damned
       pirate! I hope he's okay.

Old man:
       A monster is living in
       the sand dune near town.
       Pirates in the sea and
       monsters in the sand.
       What's next?

Woman: (after defeating the Death Ant)
       Now I can go back to
       tanning on the dunes!
       Please accept this
       family heirloom
       in return.
(You got the Key of Nova!)
Woman:
       Now if we could only be
       rid of those pirates!


======= YUZU VILLAGE ==================================================

Bartender:
       Thank you for saving us.
       If it wasn't for you, we
       might have been mindless
       zombies forever!

Man:
       Before the revolution,
       the Royal Family made it
       illegal to study the
       ruins. They were afraid
       that archeologists would
       discover that the legend
       about the Royal Family
       and the origins of the
       country were untrue.
       Recently, they found
       out there was an
       advanced civilization
       here long, long ago.

Old man:
       Those Royals were a
       corrupt bunch all right.
       And yet they were of the
       Ashah Dynasty, children
       of Toroah the Messiah.
       Perhaps one day we'll
       all be punished for
       overthrowing them.

Young man:
       I found this weird fruit
       the other day...
       But then I dropped it
       while running away from
       a monster...
       That was right next to
       that cross shaped
       poisonous swamp...

Young man: (if you give him the banana)
       You found that weird
       banana for me!
       It was laying in
       the poison swamp
       so I can't eat it, but
       please take this in
       return! I found it
       near the ruins.
(You got the Key of Earth!)
Young man:
       It's pretty darn
       strange, huh?

======= REMOTE TOWN ===================================================

Bartender:
       Welcome!...Huh?
       Never seen you before!
       Ha. You must have some
       bad luck to materialize
       in this dimension!
Ash:
       ???...What are you
       talking about?
Bartender:
       This is a loophole
       in time.
       This is the town at the
       end of the world.

Old Man:
       The flow of time is
       not an absolute.
       It's more like the
       weather. Sometimes
       there are disturbances.
       I've seen birds and
       small dogs come through
       rips in time-space.

Man:
       Most of the people who
       enter a warp just get
       spit out elsewhere,
       but some people wind up
       in this damned town!
       Like me...

Woman:
       You want to leave
       this town? Simple.
       Exit this town and keep
       walking. The winds of
       time will take you
       somewhere, but you can't
       predict when and where
       you will appear.

======= TERASU VILLAGE ================================================

Bartender:
       Before Emperor Hel came
       to power, people thought
       the Royalists were
       behind the terrorist
       attacks.
       But it looks like those
       were lies spread by
       Hel's party.

Young Man:
       The Empire has been
       doing strange things.
       On one hand they're busy
       stamping out rebels.
       On the other hand
       they're digging up ruins.
       What's going on?

Woman:
       The army's made up of
       criminals and thugs.
       But the Crimson Guards
       are something different.
       I've heard that at the
       top there are 5 Crimson
       Generals.
       It is said that none
       has ever been bested in
       personal combat.

======= KHANOS CITY ===================================================

Bartender:
       I'm not afraid of these
       army boys...
       But the leaders of the
       Crimson Guard are
       really scary...

Man:
       Archeologists have made
       great finds recently.
       They discovered that an
       ancient advanced
       civilization existed
       and something called a
       train that runs between
       Kerachi and the capital.

Old Man:
       The civilization that
       they just discovered...
       That must be the Biruni
       Empire described in
       the Holy Tome.
       Then what happened to
       the Flames of Judgment
       that destroyed it?

======= TRADE CITY KERACHI ============================================

Bartender:
       This town owes it all
       to Carlo Lisbon.
       Maybe he does do some
       shady deals, but if
       not for him...

Old Man:
       Have you seen our
       precious train?
       'Tis a wonderous relic
       from a dead civilization.
       It runs all the
       way to the capital!

Woman:
       It's so strange...
       What could destroy
       a culture that made
       something as incredible
       as the train?
       Maybe they're still
       alive somewhere...

Man:
       I collect strange and
       rare things objects.
       But it looks like
       there's nothing in these
       parts to interest me.
       Where are the 3 sacred
       treasures everyone is
       looking for?

* IF PLAYER GIVES MAN MACROMAN, TAROT AND RAMEN *

Man:
       I collect strange and
       rare things objects.
       You have them!!!
       The 3 sacred treasures!
       The magical macroman!
       The legendary rider card!
       The fabled heavy ramen!
       I admire your good
       taste. Please add this
       to your collection!

       You got the Key of Chaos!
Man:
       One man's garbage is
       another man's treasure.

======= PIONEER TOWN SORBO ============================================

Bartender:
       This is the last town
       on the frontier.
       But the legends claim
       that a magical city lies
       beyond here.

Man:
       Better be careful
       'round these parts!
       We got monsters and
       villains of all sorts
       around here.

Old Man:
       The Torog mountains are
       the homes of the gods!
       Before you go, you had
       best make your peace
       with them!

======= FRONTIER VILLAGE ==============================================

Bartender:
       It's rare to have
       visitors in these parts.
       Have a nice stay
       while you're here.

Man:
       There's nothing to see
       around here.
       Nuthin in my granddad's
       day, nuthin in my dad's
       day and nuthin in my day.
       They'll probably be
       nuthin here in my son's
       day either.

Woman:
       You think we're an
       ancient people?
       Ha ha ha. Well my
       granddad is over 100!

* AFTER BATTLE ON TSUKUE PLAINS *

Bartender:
       Thank you.
       That was my brother that
       you saved on the
       Tsukue Plains.

Man:
       We threw away our
       culture...
       But I often long for the
       greatness and majesty
       of our ancestors.

Woman:
       I'm frightened by
       monsters around here...
       But it's better than the
       evil power that our
       people created!

Old Man:
       We just want to live our
       lives in peace...
       If you'll keep our
       village's secret, I'll
       give you a tip...
       In the dragon's lair,
       search the center of the
       smallest lava lake.
       What you find will be
       of great use to you!

======= GLASGOW TOWN ==================================================

Bartender:
       The Empire is finished.
       Emperor Hel's death was
       the final nail in the
       coffin, no pun intended.
       Now everyone's rushing
       to line up on the side
       of the rebels.

Man:
       The imperial army has
       fallen to pieces all over
       the country.
       But the Crimson Guard
       still strikes fear into
       the heart of their foes.

Old Man:
       Now everyone's screaming
       for a revolution, but...
       they say that a country
       always gets the leaders
       it deserves, don't they?

Weird Man:
       ?!... Do I know
       you stranger?
       Art thou the hero
       eternal?...
       Nay, I was mistook!

* IF THE PLAYER HAS 5 PRISMS *

Weird Man:
       ?!... Do I know
       you stranger?
       Thou art the hero
       eternal!! The holder
       of the 5 prisms!
       Take the final key
       oh great one!

You got the Key of Heaven.

Mystery Man:
       At last my journey is
       finally over...

=======================================================================
=======================================================================
       DOJO
=======================================================================
=======================================================================

* GUIDANCE *

Dojo:
       Listen carefully.

(After reading any of the following, he says...)

Dojo:
       Is there anything else
       you wish to know?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

** GROWTH **

Dojo:
       It is the goal of every
       man to attain the highest
       rank in his profession!
       After reaching levels
       10 and 20, you may come
       here to learn new skills.
       Always strive to find
       the best in yourself.

** 7 POWERS **

Dojo:
       The 7 classes correspond
       to the 7 powers that
       Toroah mastered.
       They are: Knight, Armor,
       Archer, Airman, Mage,
       Priest, and Monk.
       You must choose wisely
       in order to create a
       well-balanced party.

** HINTS **

Dojo:
       Sword defeats bow,
       bow defeats air
       and air defeats sword.
       Armor is strong but slow
       Mages are weak but wise
       Monks use word and claw.
       Always remember these
       basic rules before you
       engage your foe in war.

** LEGEND **

Dojo:
       Toroah underwent severe
       trials to master the 7
       powers of war.
       If you seek true power,
       you must undergo the 6
       trials just as Toroah.
       Remember that each door
       must first be unlocked
       by a key...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

* ADVANCE *

(Select a character level 10+ or 20+.)

Dojo:
       <Character name> can advance to
       the following classes.

(Select a class.)

Dojo:
       Do you wish to advance
       to this class?

(Pick 'YES' or 'NO'. 'NO' will take you back one screen. 'YES' will go
to the next screen.)

Dojo:
       By the power of the gods
       of light and darkness...
       Grant this soul new
       wisdom and powers in the
       service of mankind!

(White light. When it fades, your character has advanced.)

Dojo:
       <Character's name> has advanced to
       the class of <Class>!
(The following only occurs if you need different weapon types.)
       Here are weapons and
       armor to match your
       new skills.
       Your old possessions
       will be sent to the
       supply wagon.

Dojo:
       Does anyone else seek
       advancement?

(If your character is not level 10+ or 20+, this message comes up...)

Dojo:
       <Character's name> needs more
       experience before
       seeking advancement.

(If your character has already ascended to their Level 3 Class...)

Dojo:
       But <Character's name> has already
       achieved the highest
       possible class!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

* LEAVE DOJO *

Dojo:
       Keep the faith.

(Exits to previous town/village.)

(If Ash is carrying any of the special key items, the priest will stop
you for a moment.)

Dojo:
       Hold for a moment!
       Is that one of the holy
       keys that you have?
       Those are to be held
       only by the chosen one.
       Do you wish to undergo
       the Trials of Toroah?

(Player selects "Transform" or "Forget it", this assumes you have
selected "Transform".)

Dojo:
       Then may your soul be
       sent to the spirit world
       for judgment!!!
       Fare thee well!!!

(After beating the trial...)

Dojo:
       Well done!!
       You survived the trial.
       You have returned with
       one of the prisms which
       holds the soul of Toroah!
       You have taken one more
       step on the path to
       enlightenment.
       We will keep this key
       for the next traveler
       who seeks the true path!
       Always keep the faith!

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

CHARACTER BATTLE DEATH QUOTES

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

(The following messages are displayed if a character is defeated in
normal battle.)

Ash:
       Aaaaaaargh!!!

Diego:
       Urk! They got me!
       See ya later!

Clint:
       Damn! Sorry, I've got
       to fall back!

Clint 2:
       Argh! Kira!...
       I'm sorry!...

Eleni:
       Eeeeek!
       I've got to retreat!

Huxley:
       Yeowch!! I must make a
       strategic withdrawal!

Kira:
       Oh! Lucky shot!
       Gotta sit this one out!

Grog:
       Uggg!... Ya got me!
       Time to retreat!

Dolan:
       Ouch! I must beat a
       hasty retreat!

Sara:
       I must retreat!
       Good luck!

Amon:
       Sorry I couldn't be
       more help!...

Zohar:
       Gyahh!!...
       I shall return!...

Clive:
       !!! Sorry Ash!
       I've got to retreat!

Darius:
       You creeps!
       I won't forget this!!

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

CHARACTER TRAIN DEATH QUOTES

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

(The following messages are displayed if a character is on a car that
is disconnected during the magic train battle in Act IV.)

Ash:
       Rats!!
       They've gotten away!...

Diego:
       Whoa!!
       It can't be!!

Clint:
       Boy do I feel stupid!!


Eleni:
       But we've come so far!


Huxley:
       What...
       I can't hear you!...

Grog:
       Yaah! What's going on?

Dolan:
       Damn!
       We were too slow!

Amon:
       I guess we blew it!

Sara:
       No way!!!

Zohar:
       It's no use!
       They've won!

Darius:
       Hell!! They're smarter
       than they look!

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

CHARACTER BRIDGE DEATH QUOTES

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

(The following messages are displayed if a character is on a bridge
that is destroyed during the Torog Mountains battle in Act V.)

Ash:
       The bridge...
       No!!

Diego:
       Whoa. We're goin'
       down!

Clint:
       Look out below!!


Eleni:
       An explosion?
       Yaaaaaaaaah!!


Huxley:
       Ufffff!
       I'm falling!...

Kira:
       The bridge!!...

Grog:
       The explosion..
       Whoaaaaa!!!

Dolan:
       What the?!...
       The bridge is...!

Amon:
       Did I hear a switch?!...
       Waaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

Sara:
       Damn! Who pressed
       the switch!

Zohar:
       Watch out! Don't hit
       that switch yet!!...

Darius:
       Why you stupid fool!...

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

CHARACTER RIVER DEATH QUOTES

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

(The following messages are displayed if a character is in the riverbed
when the sluice gate is opened, in the frontier village battle in
Act V. NOTE: I was unable to get Darius' line for this part, as I had
made him into a Hawknight which prevented him from drowning! If anyone
can let me know what it is I'd appreciate it. [email protected])

Ash:
       Huh? What's this water?
       Yaaaah!!!

Diego:
       Hey! Who released
       the water?!

Clint:
       We can't swim with
       all this armor!...


Eleni:
       Eeeyaaah!!!
       Why is the water...


Huxley:
       No! I wasn't meant
       to drown!

Kira:
       No!
       The flow is too fast!

Grog:
       All sailors can swim,
       but this is too much!

Dolan:
       Damn it! After all
       we've been through!

Amon:
       We'll be swept away!

Sara:
       Oh no! My clothes will
       be soaked!

Zohar:
       The water velocity is
       too strong!!

Darius:
       <?????????????????>     *see above

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

ERRORS IN THE VANDAL HEARTS SCRIPT/TRANSLATION

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

1.      Ash's last name is Lambert. We know this because he says it
       numerous times when he meets knew people. However, during the
       scene after the battle on the Rhine Bridge (the one which
       explodes), Ash and Eleni are talking down by the river at
       night. Eleni calls Ash "Mr. Lambard"! Is this a fault by Konami
       or is it supposed to be like that, suggesting that Eleni wasn't
       paying attention when Ash introduced himself?!
2.      The man in the tavern in Kerachi says:
               "I collect strange and rare things objects."
       Well, this is just weird. Either he collects rare things or
       rare objects, surely not rare things objects!

=======================================================================
=======================================================================

Vandal Hearts (TM) is an original game developed by KONAMI COMPUTER
ENTERTAINMENT TOKYO KONAMI CO., LTD. reserves all copyrights,
trademarks, and other industrial property rights with respect to this
game.

=======================================================================
                                                               END
=======================================================================